From the prickly situation
delicate bursts of gentle
beauty  like love’s sweet
whisper emerges
in night’s darkness
 
From the bristly service
everyday full of tasks
fraught with jabbing
thorns of duty and grief 
born of love’s responsibility
 
In the still hours gloom
past twilight’s settling
tired hands tremble
as the heart of the matter
calls forth beauty
 
Love blooms once more
aching comfort in 
a hushed moments rest
 
___________________
 
The delicate cereus cactus blooms burst forth in the night. Being the caretaker for a declining family member has it’s moments. —Dena