entries and exits

the entry signs
and the exit signs,
all the failed roses
you bought at the store,
the hard knock lessons
you learned too late
what for

the novels you've read
and the text-books you skimmed,
all the things you've seen
and the few you really observed

seems you always get stuck
in between,
catch every unlucky break,
a farcical tragedy
too stupid to fake

taking the entry signs
and the exit signs
looking for a store
that sells roses