I followed a path through the woods.
I felt the chill, damp air caress my skin
As I ventured onward.
The canopy of trees closed over me,
Darkness surrounded me,
Broken only by dapples of light
Filtering through the dense leaves.
It seemed like days that I walked,
Though it was but a short time.
Ahead of me I saw a shaft of light,
Piercing the dark forest.
I walked toward that light,
Needing to feel the sun's warmth.
I reached a small clearing.
In the center of that clearing was a single plant.
Upon that small plant was a single rose bud.
A yellow bud, a bright, golden hue,
As if touched by Midas' hand.
I reached out and touched that bud.
It was so soft, so smooth, so fragile.
As I touched, the bud opened -
A perfect rose.
Perfect Rose 
