Forty plus years br this rose began its start br with a love so pure br from two connected hearts br br Why it did not bloom br in the many Spring's past br is only known to Him br whose hand this mold did cast br br But it is in the winter br of these two lives br When the roots regain br and grow and thrive br br A love lay dormant br for years and years br Now burst to life br with joyful tears br br Their love over the years br silently survives and grows br as does the petals br of the Winter Rose br br Donna DeLong Matthews br August 2005 br Rewrite May 2006br br DonnaDeLong Matthewsbr br