Ambiguous Rose

We are afraid of COVID
And yes, it is alarming
But something no one mentions
Is the disease within our own heart

Humans.
We all bleed the same blood
Though the amount of iron
Or protein varies

Yet we believe that some are
Less
And that some are
Better

To be frank,
We miss the point
The pale moon is just as
Beautiful as the twinkling stars

People forget that though roses
Are a beautiful shade of
Garnet red,
They still have thorns.

But roses are so beautiful
That we value them
Over
The common carnation.

Our eyes are both
Wonderful and awful
Because we appreciate beauty,
But only certain kinds

We find roses breath-taking
Though the beauty fades quickly
While carnations continue to glow
Without being appreciated

By Jordan McIntire
GMMS, Grade 8