The Cliff Rose
Between a rocky rise and wind-swept shore
A nameless village nestled deep in time
Observed from high above upon a tor
By a Cliff Rose, and a dozen more
Other flowers that were less sublime
Five petals had she grown in perfect white
Three leaves below in dark green coyly hid
And even on that tall and lonely height
One could espy (if they had clever sight)
A yellow pistil shining all amid
Admirers had she many in the town
Odes and artwork had her grace inspired
Oft' they would look up until they found
The Cliff Rose smiling back and looking down
Of this exchange the people never tired
I was pointed once to where she grew
Statuesque and higher than the rest
Suddenly I wondered if she too
Looked down upon me, if she somehow knew
How beautiful she was in my dull chest
I betook myself to wondering
Why she chose to twine her vine so far
Where all could see but none could scarcely bring
Their nose to smell, and only bird on wing
Could come close to plucking that white star
I thought to take the Cliff Rose just for me
But that thought I quickly stashed away
Here she was, aloft for all to see
But in my house, a brief light would she be
Then white would turn to sad brown in decay
Though brief, but what a shining light she'd show!
Doubtless her aroma was divine
In a vase and on the sill she'd go
And cast forth daily her exotic glow
Ne'er again a prisoner to the vine
I do not know why upward paths she tread
Snaking up the cliff-face in great berth
And those who would adore her must instead
Worship from afar, who'd rather bed
Her vine in gardens closer to the Earth
Oh torturous are you, Rose, to grow so high!
And never let us close who long to be
A treasure only to the gifted eye
You remain a white star in the sky
Because you choose to be not more to me
A nameless village nestled deep in time
Observed from high above upon a tor
By a Cliff Rose, and a dozen more
Other flowers that were less sublime
Five petals had she grown in perfect white
Three leaves below in dark green coyly hid
And even on that tall and lonely height
One could espy (if they had clever sight)
A yellow pistil shining all amid
Admirers had she many in the town
Odes and artwork had her grace inspired
Oft' they would look up until they found
The Cliff Rose smiling back and looking down
Of this exchange the people never tired
I was pointed once to where she grew
Statuesque and higher than the rest
Suddenly I wondered if she too
Looked down upon me, if she somehow knew
How beautiful she was in my dull chest
I betook myself to wondering
Why she chose to twine her vine so far
Where all could see but none could scarcely bring
Their nose to smell, and only bird on wing
Could come close to plucking that white star
I thought to take the Cliff Rose just for me
But that thought I quickly stashed away
Here she was, aloft for all to see
But in my house, a brief light would she be
Then white would turn to sad brown in decay
Though brief, but what a shining light she'd show!
Doubtless her aroma was divine
In a vase and on the sill she'd go
And cast forth daily her exotic glow
Ne'er again a prisoner to the vine
I do not know why upward paths she tread
Snaking up the cliff-face in great berth
And those who would adore her must instead
Worship from afar, who'd rather bed
Her vine in gardens closer to the Earth
Oh torturous are you, Rose, to grow so high!
And never let us close who long to be
A treasure only to the gifted eye
You remain a white star in the sky
Because you choose to be not more to me