Roses From Another Lover

The rose petals fell to the floor
As if by design
The love shared by these
Were not rightfully mine

They lay spread across the ground
Like a lost dream
It took me a second to comprehend
Just what I was seeing

Although I knew much time
Had long since gone by
Observing the roses still here
Brought a tear to my eye

Oh, how I wanted to grab those petals
And throw them all out
Destroying the past
Without a further doubt.

But those memories belonged to another
So gritting my teeth
I picked up those rose petals and put them back
Piece by piece

- Andrew Hartnett