AN ODE TO THE ROSE—award winner

AN ODE TO THE ROSE—award winner


O Rose, tender beauty, pure,
Exuding fragrance, so sweet;
Nature’s jewel, poet’s muse,
Gift of love when lovers meet.

O Rose, you are condemned to
Live and die among the thorns.
You betray no rancor and
Smilingly face prickly scorns.

Rose, you remind the world that
Comfort is worshipped never;
It is wearing Crown of Thorns,
That gives glory for ever.

O Rose, you are not allowed
To live by those around you.
You are plucked in tender youth
And trampled under the shoe.

Rose of the humanity,
Was in mid-life picked and nailed
To the cross by those around,
Yet, in the end, He prevailed.

O Rose, a thing of beauty,
You are a joy for ever;
Smiling among wily thorns,
Symbol of divine power.


* Written in abcb 7-7-7-7 format
* “A thing of beauty is a joy forever” --The first line of the poem “Endymion” by John Keats.

-- Awarded Fourth Prize in Faith/Inspiration Contest hosted by Jasmine, "Invalid Item"  M C Gupta
2 October 2003