Transcendence

<p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>    THE ROSE</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>    </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>It began as a tiny bud the promise of its </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>beauty and delicate fragrance</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>hidden within tender young leaves </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>that enfolded and protected its essence.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Kissed by rain in the springtime of its life</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>the rose felt the stirrings of its purpose;</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>reaching toward the warmth and light</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>the petals opened in answer to its song.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Drawn by its perfume passersby paused </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>to search for the source;</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>enchanted by its radiance they caressed</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>soft velvet and were blessed.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In innocence the rose existed</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>for the sheer joy of existence</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>unmindful of the benediction it </strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>bestowed on all it touched.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>With grace and beauty by love disposed</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>it followed its destiny petal and thorn.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In predawn stillness the gardener came</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>to gather the rose though not full-blown.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Teardrops of dew clung fast to the leaves</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>and half-opened petals of scarlet hue.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>With loving care the gardener smiled</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>then pressed the rose to his hear</strong></p>