"Roses Amidst the Thorns" is a collection of poems which traces a couple's intimate, twenty year relationship--their young, uninhibited love, their mature spiritual love, the breakdown of their love and the acceptance of the changes in their love. It is my hope by writing these poems to stimulate the reader in such a manner that they realize loving is universal. It is the most powerful force which governs the paths of our lives. At one time or another, we all move into similar phases within relationships. We experience common feelings, feelings which are not so unique to ourselves as they are to the human condition. Hopefully, we learn as a group to regard and cherish the rose (our loves) amidst the thorns (society and self-gratification) so that we may nurture our relationships seeking guidance, wisdom and strength from God, instead of watching them wither and die. ROSES AMIDST THE THORNS Our love began as a tiny bud. An introduction by a close friend, A flashed smile, a quick flirtation, Gentle touches with long conversations Lasting into the night. You were fire and ice A whirlwind wanting to change Your surroundings. I was struck by the sheer electricity Around you. As you entered a room An aura of blue light flooded your countenance. I felt caught up in the glow of your illumination. Tremendous growth occurred with you. The petals of my sheltered life Gently began to open. I blossomed into a radiant woman. Unafraid, I turned myself to your exposure. I drank in your rays and basted in the comfort Of your love. Encased within the beauty of the rose Are the sharp thorns which surface Randomly on the stem. I took each thorn as it emerged. Lifting my petals so they wouldn't tear Into my blossoms. I was contented because you wanted me. The stem was strengthened By the outpouring of love and attention You showered upon me. I grew, radiated pastel colors And opened completely. For a long time I remained In this blossomed state. Taking for granted that the warmth Of your love and the light Which beamed from you Would always be there. Blinded by my comfort, I chose not to see the changes in the seasons. Yes, my petals shivered When the cold set in. But I could visualize the glow and warmth. I paid no attention to the real climate. I mentally created my own environment. For me I was still that beautiful rose You tended and loved. By the time I realized I was withered And in danger of dying I had no strength to pull my stem up. As I tried My petals gently fell to the ground. Now instead of a beautiful rose, Was a stick with thorns Lying crushed in the dirt. But as with all God's creations He affords us the chance of rebirth And new spirit. I look forward to the Spring When all things are new. And life begins again. I WATCHED YOU CHANGE I watched you change, From the person I loved, became a part of and respected, Into someone dark, deceiving and unfeeling. Perhaps you were right. Maybe I never knew the real you. If so, I'm glad I knew The person you pretended to be. For in that person Lived kindness, strength and unshakable faith. A spiritual giant, Who inspired me to believe And reach for the stars. A gentle spirit, loving Yet firm with his children. A passionate lover, an understanding friend. I watched the metamorphosis take place. Exchanging honesty with lies, Caring with manipulation, Loving with indifference, And I mourn for my husband now lost. I watched you change. I stood by and did nothing. False pride, pain and jealously Kept me from reaching out to you. I can only hope Someday you'll discover The courage to find yourself again. This time allowing God To make the changes in you That I've prayed He'd make in me. SEPARATING For me the time has come To separate myself from you. The pain of feeling our marriage Being ripped apart Is more than I can bear. I thought