Poems of Narad

Full-petalled Rose

Oct. 22, 2005

Full-petalled rose what secrets lie
Within the perfume of your heart,
You have witnessed nations die
Your emblem worn as the bloody art
Of men who carried you to war,
And on your dress of summer green
You wear the thorn, a metaphor
For wounds in battles you have seen.
Your beauty mocks the evil sown
In all for whom you are the Queen
Of love and honour and the Unknown
Who lives in us as one unseen,
Your loveliness his symbol bright,
O perfect rose, our soul's delight.