The last roses of summer hang loosely on the bush.

Just moments from releasing their petals to flutter to the ground, the roses will curl, yellow, dry and dissolve into mulch for next season’s blooms. As I bury my nose in the soft center of a scarlet cabbage rose, I cup my hands beneath it to catch the fragrant pieces as they fall away from their center. I fill my pockets with them and when I get home I will spread them out to dry in a glass bowl on my windowsill. Then I’ll add their captured essence to dried lavender for a perfect memento of summer. Their scarlet skins will darken and shrivel a bit, but the spirit of the rose will be preserved.