THORN & ROSE
A rose, said I? Or yet, said I-- a thorn?
Thorns have roses-- and that is what I say!
(Though the fool whose flesh is for being torn,
He will be having it the other way!).
Let him who thinks to pluck a rose– beware!
Beware the angry vine, the vengeful briar!
The rose may call your name, but go with care–
It is the thorn that sets your blood on fire!
Oh, yes, the flower dies with season’s close–
But look how long the thorn outlasts the rose!
______________________________
Jack Peachum