I’ve always loved fresh roses

The smell is intoxicating.

No one ever gave me

fresh roses until the man

I’d eventually marry.

In the beginning, I got

red roses for Valentine’s Day,

my birthday, every occasion.

Then suddenly or slowly,

the roses stopped .

I didn’t even realize how

much he’d changed.

He hid his rage and alcoholism

very well. When I dared to

look in his eyes, I saw

the devil inside.

After horrific nights ,

I’d wake up shaking,

to find a beautiful

vase of red roses

on the kitchen table.

This cycle happened

for quite some time.

Unfortunately, it’s all I knew,

so it took awhile to undo.

I grew to loathe

the beautiful roses that

had once been my favorite.

But I’m happy to say,

that was a long time ago.

Now my mind, body and

soul have recovered ,and

once again red roses

are my favorite.🌹