Wow, I reread this a number of times, kind of one that smacks you in the face. Well done- welcome to P&Q! I look forward to reading more of your poems.

I also read this a handful of times and still am unsure what to make of it, though I will admit that the momentum and flow both worked out well and the scene played out flawlessly. However, the repetition of the rose - perhaps that could have been a stronger pull had you gone from bud to flower to rose kinda like the cycle of falling in or out of love while also diversifying your voice just a little.