Mr. Mann Receives Training in Roses

Color did not matter.  He was taught

to squeeze the bloom lightly.  You

wanted tight, not floppy.  Beauty

wrapped with an invisible hand.

No tips infected with the brown edge

of death.  Cut off the green stem ends

at an angle.  Hot water.  There is an

incantation he has forgotten.  Watch

for the good.  One place will give you

the phone number of William Blake.