Last rose of autumn,
Poised, self-assured, demanding my attention;
October’s glisten bolsters you,
Readies you for what must come.
Final crimson-tipped cream, satiny-smooth,
Regal semi-gloss realization of all we hold dear,
Standing tall where once, in earlier times,
Your sisters begged for fleeting glance or passing touch.
Scant blend of pastel, subtle-rounded glory passing once
Before our doubting eyes; forcing us to behold—one last time
Daring us to futilely search for peers of beauty.
Darker edges frame you— I’m complete with or without you,
Mocking me... why didn’t I notice you sooner?
You’ll leave me or I’ll leave you, sure as snow will cover us.
Daring me to pick your bloom, forcing me to settle
For one last breath of scented glory,
One last look at ruby-glittered perfection,
A final feathery-soft touch before you go.
I’ll not touch you now, nor impudently sully your grace,
No hand but mine has come so close, no eye yet witnessed—
So forever shall you persevere in my heart,
Unblemished, unstained, complete.
Bob Church © 10/4/03
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28 comments:
Beautiful, Bob, as lovely as the rose.
Bob, you literally took my breath away with this one. I can't stop reading it... over and over and over... this is one I will need to print and preserve. Beautiful, my friend.
Applause! Applause! Bob's inner poet emerges.
Absolutely gorgeous love poem, Bob. Careful, tender and sounds beautiful like soft sad music. Wonderful.
And you claim not to be a poet? Fooled the whole lot of us!
Ahhh. ::::Siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh:::
Lovely. Just lovely.
Bob, it's a damn shame Moberly doesn't have a jazz or blues scene, or a bar where they have open-mic night. People would demand you set the standard for all other acts to emulate. And on some nights you'd show up wearing a Zoot Suit, just for the hell of it.
Sorry to barge back in, but Bob in a zoot suit? I'd catch the next plane to Moberly just to see that! Perfect!
I'm not quite sure why, but this made me cry. Such a tender, tender write. Lots of love to you my friend.
This brings tears to my eyes.
It is lovely,and you are a poet.
I have know this for years.
Back to read once again,
and again.
LTYFM
Nicely put, Bob - beauty, living in the moment and accepting it for all of its wonder and joy. thanks - a fan
i'll never again look at the last rose of autumn in quite the same way...
the last line says it all...
The last rose always smells sweeter than the others, to me.
A lovely thing you made and shared -- thanks, from the bottom of my tuckered-out heart.
Beautiful, Bob. I can smell the rose. It's always bittersweet in October. Yes, big applause coming from me, too. You're awesome, dude.
Bob - This is fantastic...aching, and wanting - reaching, and hoping to be reached to - hands wanting to be held, and wanting to know that what is held, can be held for the eternity of a moment - forever.
This makes us so utterly human, and at the same time - much, much more.
Thank You...
Poetman
all the things they said
and an extra, from me. I hope you're good. I hope it's a good day.
Full of tenderness, the way the words are chosen to capture the rose's essence. The third stanza held the most effect on me, as regards the notion of inevitability. :) Cheers.
miss you
I had to come by & have another read...this is so lovely.
Me too, Bob. Miss you.
Bob, I just wanted you to know that I am sure that I am not alone when I say - Bob, we're thinking about you and wishing you well...
Peace
I wanted you to know I am
thinking about you and
hoping you are well.
Missing you
loving you
hoping for you
Peace for you
love
kay lee
Now I know why this made me cry Bob. I'll miss you.
Just saying hello again, Bob and Louise. We love you and miss you. Your poem is beautiful. I have read it at least a hundred times. Thank you for keeping your site up here for us to enjoy.
Remember the Roses
Let us always remember the roses
and the thorns be a thing of the past
for the rose, though perfect in its time,
was never meant to last.
But better we recall the hue
of beauty on the vine
than shy away for fear of thorns.
Another rose.
Another time.
©Shirley Allard
I will forever see you in the splendor of the Autumn rose, my friend. I miss you.
Hi Bob,
I still miss you in that achey way.
I hope you are well. I know your family longs to have you with them this Holiday.
Merry Christmas.
My rose bush in the front yard has given us one more perfect red flower today. I will forever think of you Bob, when I see the last rose. I miss you friend.
Hey..It came out very well..It is as good as the rose..
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