White Rose

The sun, a shiny penny 

Flipped and thrown high 

In the air, is now falling 

Sliding in a slot 

Between earth and sky 

Somewhere a lever is 

Pulled and we look on 

In disappointment as 

Darkness rises, and 

Slowly settles over 

The land like a giant 

Vulture whose blind 

Eyes weep evening dew 

On the grass, and on the 

Stooping roofs of houses  

You’re a white rose 

Shivering, pulling 

Fragile petals 

Close about you like 

A cape, like a thin 

Satin robe to cover 

A bare, naked heart 

That flutters like a 

Weightless feather 

Oh, let me embrace 

Your gentle warmth 

And guard your light 

Let me be the hands 

That wrap around your 

Candle in the night

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is the ultimate in speaking thru imagery. Wow! What imagery! I felt like I was sliding down a portal of pleasure & mixed emotions . . . so many possibilities! Despite this piece having a sensual & slightly erotic quality (a tempting direction to go), I find myself reading it as to how one might feel upon bringing an infant into this crazy messed up world & feeling a little bit guilty for inflicting the madness on one's newborn & possibly for the next twenty years if things don't get even worse. This is the extreme tenderness one might feel toward one's newborn, wanting to shield him/her from whatever is out there to come (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laz K.]

Thank you for your thoughts. I like both of your interpretations!

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the lines below Laz.
"Close about you like
A cape, like a thin
Satin robe to cover
A bare, naked heart
That flutters like a
Weightless feather"
The lines say so much and are wonderful. I enjoyed the complete poem and thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Dave Brown]

I see this representing the person who is no longer absorbing life and living's wonders, having gone beyond all that to see the stark reality that lies ahead, that seems to offer too little to find real comfort and thinks now only of shielding those around him
Probably no where near the direction you had intended but my simple mind relates more to the tasty icing than to the real dough of the concoction
Always impressed with your offerings, going directions that are usually miles away from mine.
Hope all is well

[Laz K.]

"I see this representing the person who is no longer absorbing life and living's wonders, having gone beyond all that to see the stark reality that lies ahead, that seems to offer too little to find real comfort and thinks now only of shielding those around him."

I like your interpretation a lot!
Thank you for reading and commenting!

[Chris Shaw]

Between day and night, light and dark you have created some amazing imagery here Laz. Great metaphor too, I saw that penny in the slot machines of my childhood days. All the fun of the penny arcade. And that white rose, how enticing. Who wouldn:t want to protect her fragility. Lovely work.

Chris

[Laz K.]

Thank you, Chris, for reading and commenting.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the gentlest of hearts are often prey to the vultures of the world, circling, looking to strike...
I have found those hearts in my life...tried to protect them...
and when the threat abated...the roses moved on to another garden.
j.

[Laz K.]

You're right again, j.
"Chivalry is dead, and women killed it."
Thanks for your thoughts.