Ode to Tortellini Rose

Rising like the sun,
the great tortellini rose
stretches sharp-ridged paws,

ready to snap up
any trout that swim too close
into its wet maw.

It’s formed perfectly
so it can best catch its prey,
ensuring it spreads

‘cross fields, directly
or through dim humans with brains
tricked by their gold heads

sparkling in moonlight
& rendered rainbow @ dawn.
Tortellini rose…

Though I loath your bite,
I love your scent on my lawn,
tickling my nose.

How you leave me torn…
As drought’s with summer’s warm,
Ev’ry rose has thorns.