Thomas,

watch out!

This is not a rose Garden.

These are not,

meandering pathways

no stunning display

no heavenly scented blooms

of a form so perfect

they deceive,

colour your vision,

pink.

This is life!

The unkempt garden of life!

Brambles and thickets

trip you along the way,

jagged stones

under

your feet,

razor thorns

of the Devil’s rose

slash

at your innocence…

Thomas,

be careful!

This is not a Rose Garden.

But despair not,

for you

child,

are

the Gardener.

 

~M. Valedictorian Speech, SJ, 2002

Image: Rex King