Roses smell sweeter in childhood
Their scent
Being natural and good.
I repent
Of scentless flowers
And myriad hours
Spent trying to grow
What ought not
To grow,
And would,
If I could
Spurn these flowers, purchased on a whim
And return
To a time ere Adam did sin
With Eve.
But I can only grieve
And count the cost
Of Paradise lost.

—

(The reference to paradise lost pertains to Milton’s fine poem of the same title).