taking a minute to smell the roses

.rain has followed me home again this late afternoon,

the dripping trees shrouding the birds who chorus under cover

while wavering leaves shimmer with the crystal bling of raindrops

sidewalk stones that wetly welcome me up the quiet path

are each outlined with the clarity of endurance

even as the last of the early spring pansies humbly tuck themselves into memory

and the clarion red rose climbing the door post announces

another moment, another chance to pause spellbound

.