I was an apprentice to a head gardener
Although I have to say his demeanour was more of poacher or gamekeeper, a wily old character
He sold flowers to the master, most of which were picked from the master's grounds
This particular morning we were persuading the master to buy two large roses
The head gardener was showing off two very large roses
One placed to each side of the not insubstantial fireplace
Afterwards I was taking a cutting of a flower, from a bush or a tree
In pulling off the flower I also pulled away a long strip of bark
Which showed the bare white branch beneath, as if to remind me of virginity
Or as if to remind me of the sap, which once did rise
