Intrepid Roses

Intrepid Roses

She was a fine British lady
Contained and composed
In the gypsy tradition she was named Vida Rose

She was homestead to city
White gloves and white hair
She gathered some women to sing at the fair

Black satin bonnets with ribbons sewn on
Snowy white blouses, black skirts which were long
Harmonized voices in old fashioned song

Her husband seemed vacant
But the women were sound
She bore three girls
The boys unrenowned



Vi gave us Clara
Classy and smart
With one poor decision she ransomed her heart

She quietly martyred
For that was just done
Before the veil finally lifted and out came the sun

She was city to village
She played cribbage and curled
Honest and giving she brought love to my world

Her husband; a bully
But the women were strong
She bore three girls
The boys unrenowned



The next Rose was Lorna
Adrift and forlorn
Stuck in her past she was tattered and torn

A fine cook for her family
She learned from her mom
Gather your children and they’ll keep you warm

She traveled the country
All Navy wives roam
But her roots were all shaky and she never found home

Her husband: a despot
But her children were sound
She bore three girls
The boys unrenowned

Three more generations have passed through my time
I’m sure they were all just a blip in the line
I’ve a snapshot of five to prove they were mine

A half dozen Roses
Bound by family and home
Each was outstanding, yet each stood alone



MAJJ