I stopped and smelled the roses,
I had always heard to do so,
I once enjoyed their fragrance,
Each day we watched them grow,

Tropicanas they were, reaching for the sun,
Brightened up the walkway to your door,
I know it's not the roses fault,
But I don't like them anymore,

Each time I see roses now,
It reminds me of your face,
I have to stop and tell myself.
You're in a better place,

I am losing my sense of reason now,
You're gone and yet they thrive,
Coming to hate a favored flower,
Your passing I can't survive,

They stand strong and growing ever taller,
Like everything's still the same,
How dare they continue to blossom and grow,
How dare they whisper your name,

I stopped and smelled the roses,
But what good did it do?
Although I did that one thing right,
I still had to say goodbye to you,

Vallerie Lobell

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-stopped-and-smelled-the-roses/