Roses of Memory

rose (The Alnwick Rose) and a bee, image © the author

Roses of memory,
I pray you remember
The days of sunlight,
The hours of fragrance,
Your petals unclasped
To my face.

You and the sun and me,
It was just we three
And perhaps a bee
With pollen-brushed knee —
Our comrade, she —
And the sun and you and me.

Roses of memory,
Help me to forget
The dust of heartache,
The drought of terror,
Your petals dropping
One by one.

You and I flung away,
Withered and gray;
The little bees stay
Through night but stray
In bitter day;
You and I flung away.

Roses of memory,
I pledge us tomorrow,
To smile in your fragrance,
Love song of roses,
Heartbeat of petals,
Your heart, mine.

The sun and I and you
And the bee that flew
To your heart — so few,
But lovers that grew
Again; all’s new
For the sun and me and you.

rose petals, image © the author