A Rose for Janet

  Charles Tomlinson     

I know

this rose is only

an ink-and-paper rose

but see how it grows and goes

on growing

beneath your eyes:

a rose in flower

has had (almost) its vegetable hour

whilst my

rose of spaces and typography

can reappear at will

(your will)

whenever you repeat

this ceremony of the eye

from the beginning

and thus

learn how

to resurrect a rose

that’s instantaneous

perennial

and perfect now