The Winter Rose

The Winter Rose

The feathered snow is cast about the land—
it covers all the life that once lay here.
Yet something unexpected nearby stands,
and through the ivory plumage, it appears.
The gorgeous scarlet form stands out alone
against the blinding sheets of crystal white;
its shape casts out the violent monotone:
the icy rose is winter’s rarest sight.
The petals stand against the biting cold,
too strong to whither by the deathly frost;
Its gentle stem stays straight, its colors bold,
and beauty is too precious to be lost.
Like love, the winter rose withstands it all,
and through the harshest weather, it stands tall.