Life is like a rose
One is easily attracted to it
Attracted to living it to its fullest
However, sharp thorns block this path
And one becomes too scared to strive
But then, one by one,
Each thorn, each obstacle
Is removed
With great difficulty however,
Ending in satisfaction
And when the path is finally clear and
One is no longer moving astray
One seizes the rose
And smells its sweet aroma and
Suddenly
One realizes
What life is all about
Not the rose but the
Process of its retrieval
Not the petals but the fragrance
Not the body but the soul
Our souls
And the destination to which we direct them
Our souls
The nonperishable flames of life
Life is not about the dying, decaying body
But the immortal soul and spirit
And whether or not
We successfully guide them toward that sliver of light
In the moonless-night-like darkness
Ah yes, now that is what I call a sweet aroma