Roses in profusion br bloomed along our garden wall. br They were both red and yellow- br tea hybrids, I recall. br There were thorns too, br as I well knew, br standing guard among the blooms. br br A careless creature soon would learn br to give the rose wide berth br An agony of thorns awaits br the careless of the earth. br Yet thorns permit the bees to come br and pollen to transpose. br and, if careful, they'll admit br my own scent seeking nose br br br I think thorns serve their purpose well br else roses would be trampled br The thorns are roses' guardians br and not inconsequential. br Without a thorn, the rose, forlorn, br is destined for the ashes.br br John F.