that i bought you
one City day
still has a fleck
of fluorescent glitter
on one of its petals
staring down at me
as it hangs above
the desk and computer
laying on top of the painting
with its hard-edge lines
divided by grey electric tape
which you admired as you walked
in the apartment door
but told me i should paint
the sides of the frame -
instead i left them undone
now i look up at the blue rose
and its last glow of
memory and identity