A ROSE FOR YOU

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown
for the world was intent on bringing me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day
A young boy out of breath approached me,
all tired from play
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight
with its petals all worn, not enough rain or too little light
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side,
placed the flower to his nose
and declared with overacted surprise
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful too
That's why I picked it; here it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead
Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red
But I knew I must take it or he might never leave
So I reached for the flower and replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand
He held it in mid-air without reason or plan
That weed toting boy could not see...he was blind
I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
as I thanked him for picking the very best one

"You're welcome," he smiled and then ran off to play
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self pitying woman beneath an old willow tree!
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me

And for all of those times I myself had been blind
I vowed to see the beauty of life
and appreciate every second that's mine
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And I smiled as I watched that young boy
Another weed in his hand
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man

~Author unknown~