it was the way she wrote her biology notes

how she drew roses on the corner of every page

as if they’d brighten up something as horrid as biology 

it was the way she would only ever wear one brand of perfume 

how she claimed that each person had a specific smell

and she didn’t want to smell like lavender when she was so clearly roses

it was the way she got a rose tattooed on her wrist

how she needed a tattoo to remind herself that even on the darkest days 

there was beauty within her

it was the way i was entranced by her blooming beauty 

so do not blame me for seizing her 

for i was death 

and in a world of weeds

i pick roses