ARose out of the Pavement

Here in a jungle of concrete

where the wealthy grow vaces of exotic beauty

are so many corners unadorned

where the raggamuffins grow everyday miracles -

And up out of the pavement arose

not alone one but so many

with tiny buds turned blooming grace

overlooked for an unwashed face with a grain

of sand between the petals we'll tread across it

and never see it

because it is yet small and our faces are upward all

gazing further down the boulevard at futures distant

as the stars are many yet closer

than that flower to our notice . . .

It is still blooming.

It will go on; she will go on and he will.

Every bud a son and daughter, a friend and foe -

help - reach out and love and tenderly

say

'Hello.'

Smile

Become a rose that arose

out of the pavement.