A Blood Red Rose A blood red rose He gave to her He said it was a symbol of His love She held it in her hand so gently caressing the petals softly and then brought it to her nose This rose He offered her was the sweetest she had ever smelled She held it to her cheek This rose He offered her was the softest she had ever beheld She held it back in her hand and looked at it closely It was the most perfectly formed rose she had ever seen She held onto it tighter not wanting to lose something so perfect The rose began to wilt she held it still clenching it tighter in her grasp not wanting to let it go Soon the rose turned black and the petals lost their softness they became brittle and broke easily She refused to let go holding on to it tighter the thorns digging into her palm the blood began to run She clasped it tighter still not realizing her pain would end if she would only let go One day a stranger came He took her by the hand He saw the blood running from the rose that was still clasped in her hand and slowly He began to pull her fingers back taking each finger one by one from around the rose When they had all been removed and her palm lay open He blew lightly and the petals blew away He took the stalk from her palm and threw it away He cupped her chin in His hand and said "Little One..You held on to it too tightly. Once it began to die it was time to let go. The longer and tighter You held on the more pain you caused yourself. Let Me help You." So saying, He placed her hand in His and said to her "Trust me." ~~ author unknown ~~