A petal
sticks to its peduncle,
glossy and turgid
a proud connection
dipping  a dew drops
on a thorn
on the branch
of a rose plant.

the thorn
sharp
yet vigilant
protects petal's
pristine glory
of marmoreal smoothness.
yet
the dried peduncle
breaks
plaintively
the next fall
and the desiccated branch
gives a prickly touch
in a thorny hedge
in my backyard