late bloom rose
alongside of past-due mates
dry leaves, brittle stems
all their part to play
some days in the sun
gentle rain begins
on the rose
the leaves
the stems
and my aching bones
NOTE: Rob wrote this poem on Thursday morning, September 26, 2019, just before our writing workshop began. Inspiration came from the rose growing on the bush at the corner of E. Buffalo Street and N. Cayuga Street .... the DeWitt Mall Rose Bush.