I remain a newborn knight
And yet have not acquired
The armor of my core
The thorns of these sweet roses
How shall I endure such sores?

The fragrance, always so familiar
Still playing with the ends of these strange curly vines
I keep the rose waiting
For I, too, am waiting
Waiting for my armor to grow and shine

Maybe these fragrant petals won’t be mine
I first must learn to love my castle
And I know
Armorless behind the crumbled walls
We will both hurt
I see black petals on the floor
I’m unprotected
Alas, a waning core