Beach rose, hedgehog rose, saltspray rose,
by any of these other names rugosa rose
remains lovely to look at and hardy,
curling up and around
fences all over the East Coast,
from Martha’s Vineyard to Maine.
I imagine myself as one,
entwining my limbs
with yours, pulling you
into me. I raise my thighs
onto your shoulders
as you push deeper.
Like a beach rose,
I wrap myself around you—
You the fence,
I the vine.
Kim Bendheim 