There is a flower...I think he has tamed me...

I have a rose in my garden
unlike any other.
And although it may not
seem extraordinary
to others
to me it is.

Despite the fact
that some of its petals are shrivelling,
some fallen,
its stem is bent and arched over,
there are leaves missing,
despite all this,
I love my rose
above all others.

I have had this rose
for almost 17 years.
I have watched it grow,
change with the seasons,
wither, die, to be born again,
year after year.

I sometimes forget to water it,
sometimes to put a glass dome over it
at night,
sometimes let the sheep graze at it
a little.
But each time I allow this to happen
I do my best
to repair the damage,
to nurse it back to health.

I have seen many roses in my time,
many, many roses,
all beautiful,
perhaps more beautiful than mine,
but I love my rose above all others
for it is unique.
It is unique
because it is I,
I,
who tamed it.
And he who tamed
me.