A Rose’s Kiss

        Who knew such beauty would cause such pain?

         Not very known to teach a young girl not to be vain.

         Its petals fell each day

         Enrapturing spectators who soon became its prey.

5       Its color was red, like that of my blood

         A sweet smell it held in its tiny rose bud.

         As I had walked closer to it, my hand ready to touch

         Its uncontrollable beauty seizing and pulling me

         What splendor hath my eyes seen!

10     An attractiveness never to be undone

         Who would unsuspectedly kill anyone.

         Unaware of its unlikely surprise as I came closer

         Not knowing my curiosity becoming my dark enclosure.

         My hand touched the flower, my skin suddenly torn

15      Its smooth stem becoming a thorn

         My breath escaped me and I fell to the ground

         Looking up into the darkness as I do so now.

         My heart came to a slow, steady beat

         A sweet kiss I had received from this small treat.

20     A rose as gentle as a baby in its cradle

         Who knew such beauty would be so fatal?    

 
 Copyright (c) 1998 Rachel Lindley