The Good Side of Death:
Oracular Pre-echoing
The Delphic good to come from spring buds’ deaths
Is roses’ resurrection from their stems.
The early summer flowers take their breaths
In May’s bright air. Their petticoats and hems
Begin to spread for the summer heat. They die
As well and often are attacked by a bug,
Disease and storm, yes. Varied petals fly
Away in winds although they try to hug
Themselves to sprigs. Sometimes a gnawing worm
Destroys their chances. Black spot, greenfly swarm,
And drought will threaten, but the flowers’ term
Is certain. Fragrances will not conform
To death the way the flowers of the early spring
Gave in. The roses have a larger fling.