Rose-Eaters

A short poem about the real monsters that roam the earth.

I saw it in the garden one day, and thought at first it was a man.
Upon however a closer glance, a salacious light shined in its eyes.
I knew at once it wasn’t human.
A rose-eater.
Only did it eat the buds and flowers not in full bloom.
The gluttonous thing was insatiable.
Devouring any budding rose it saw, plucking and consuming the petals one by one until all that was left was a thorny stem.
He claimed all the while that the younger ones possessed the sweeter more supple taste,
And it wasn’t his fault the vibrant red enticed such an appetite.
I thought I heard the roses scream.
Little flowers with missing petals silencing their own voices forever with bottled lullabies and prescription dreams.
Endless sleep.
It’s easier to swallow when it comes in tablet form, after all.
The bush began to wilt…
And I thought I heard the roses cry.

Author's Note

This particular piece is posted on various sites that I have a habit of perusing. It is poetry so grammar isn't a really big thing here. Also, I can handle the abuse but be nice to each other in the comments please.