The Tragedy of War...and the Memory of a Rose

The tragedy of war...

it feels like one of life's greatest tragedies
i can say this since it's been two years
will i carry it within me for the rest of my life?
this inability to escape the memory of you
it makes no difference if i give in or fight
cowards and warriors cannot hide or win
the battle continues long after the war
and the miracle of it all is i have survived

...and the memory of a rose

there is a locket i wear all the time
yet there is no precious metal or picture of you
the memories of loss are the thorns of my heart
and thorns never made the flower less true
beautiful to the eye if not to the touch
yet every so often i hold on just so
and even if memories are not really you
i find it so hard to try and let go