With Just One Rose
Written: February 8, 2006

They met many years ago, when times were fast and free-
And for fifty-two years, they shared a love everyone could see.
Five children brought such joy to their lives-
But they glowed even more when each new grandchild would arrive.
When he first met his beloved, he wooed her with just one rose-
But to hear her tell it, that’s not exactly how the story goes.
How she got that rose was a story she’d tell all who’d listen-
And as he now told me, his eyes began to glisten.
Apparently, he’d seen her around town and wanted a date-
She claimed he ran up claiming they were soul mates.
As she turned to walk away,
He begged her to just hear what he had to say.
He told of some dream, where she was his queen-
And as royalty to others, they were seen!
“I’ll not have any of this hogwash-now please excuse me-”
Suddenly he dropped to his knees!
“Let me have your hand for just this day, and nothing more-
I promise from then on, ‘tis me you’ll adore!”
He was an army boy, through and through-
And now he thought there was something to prove.
She gave in and let him show her the city lights-
A nice dinner and glass of wine topped off the night.
As she turned to go her separate way-
He took her hand and gave her a “bouquet.”
She was taken back at first-as it was nothing more than weeds-
Until she saw a single red rose amongst the dying leaves.
It melted her heart-
And from then on, they were never apart.
Every year, he’d give her just one rose-
As for why, now everyone knows.
I was moved by his recollection of their love and past-
Though he said it all went just way too fast.
On Valentines Day, they were married-
And in her bouquet, just one rose is all she’d carried.
But on Valentines Day this year-
He’d said goodbye to his dear.
She’d past quietly one night-
Yet he knew she was alright.
The day of the funeral, many didn’t get the meaning behind what I knew-
For I understood, why into the casket it was just one rose he threw.

©2006 Candice M. Martin