Winter Rose

An old rose bush which is growing a single rose, now in the dead of winter.

Winter Rose

 

My spicy winter rose you adorn, viewed through window pane.

I, the gardener, have pruned your gnarly hard wood canes.

Days of Midsummer, lowest root stock, dead wood purged.

Your face open, a single curved petal

 now unfurled within cold winter light.

January flower: gift of floral red extended.

I awake again to see you. A friend’s smiling face.

But it is winter. The wonder, the gift;

 For you my heart keeps hoping.

Would I long for your fragrance, in a glass vase displayed?

To bring you in, caress your velvet petals, inhaling sweetness?

Through autumn, leaves fell like rain.

Winter watches still, for you were my Christmas rose.

You brought joy, what a treasure!

On dormancy’s stage you hold a place of honor.

 Creation waits as your strength flourishes.

Without a word uttered you sing an aria of wonder.

My one long stemmed rose growing in winter.

Author's Note

Hope's Song given through a Rose!

Reviews

[Duncan Brown]

Rose................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ask

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Hi Duncan,
Thank you for reading and reviewing . Yes, I think that the rose is such an inspiring flower. I hope that you have roses in your life; whether it be memories. special people, or just the fortitude of the rose within your own soul.
bless you much.
Kathy

[chrisbe]

roses are such a beautiful reflection of the love energy, love of growth, love of colour, fragrance, nature... lovely poem

[Kathy Van Kurin]

chris,
A rose is a delicate but strong message in flower form; I agree with you. I think somehow that people are attracted to it's silent message. Your review is appreciated and I do like those that ponder the underlying message as you have done. Thanks so much!
Kathy

[Kelly Scheppers]

This reminded me of a poem by A.L. Frink, called "The Rose Still Grows Beyond the Wall". Your rose is a stirring read, Kathy...and so beautifully expressed!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Kelly Scheppers,
I found the poem on line you mentioned. I found it really beautiful and inspiring! Thanks so much for the poem mentioned. Nice to have your comment too.
Bless you much!
Kathy

[andrew mitchell]

Roses are just so resilient and adaptable. Nice write Kathy

[Kathy Van Kurin]

My rose is just now in mid January starting to look hagard. Iv'e never had a rose grow on this bush in the winter so it has really been a treat!
I pruned it really hard back in the spring or mud summer of last summer but it has never done this. Thanks for your great review Andrew.
Blessings,
Kathy

[KCthelastboyscout]

Amazing little story with beautiful words to read.a wonderful message of hope despite your changing surroundings

[Kathy Van Kurin]

KC,
If we can find hope everything else just seems a little brighter. Sometimes hope comes in unexpected forms. Loved hearing from you.
Bless you much.
Kathy

[wordman]

but in the spring it will smile again,give you that fragrance you miss

[Kathy Van Kurin]

wordman,
Yes the warm days are coming and who does not love it!? Pruning, digging, composting and spreading, plowing planting and on and on......
Hope your having a good winter.
Blessings and thanks much for reading and all.
Kathy

[wordman]

always a pleasure

[Chris]

THIS brought a smile and touched behind my eyes...

[Kathy Van Kurin]

chris.
Yes it has been nice to have a winter rose. A rare treat not seen by my eyes this way. Loved your sweet review Chris. Makes me happy.
Thanks so much!
Kathy

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful dear Kathy. I liked the description of the rose. Make your words and thoughts come alive for the reader. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Coyote Poetry,
I wish sometimes I could send the emotion and experience which inspires what is in my heart to the one reading. that's the challenge, huh? Your words have inspired me with thankfulness.
Bless you as always!
Kathy

[Coyote Poetry]

I love your work dear friend and your words and thoughts make me want to create.

[Ted Kniffen]

Kathy, this is very sweet. A breath of summer in the depths of winter. A single red rose that shouldn't be there but is. How He gifts us when we need a spiritual lift. One line 'Autumn leaves fell like rain." only because the tense seems off, but it could just be me.
An altogether uplifting piece of work. A touch of hope in a field of grey.
Good write.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Hello Ted Kniffen,
So nice to recieve your nice review. Your insight here is refreshing..........."A single red rose that shouldn't be there but is." Yes, He gifts us when we need a spiritual lift." Oh yes. Oh yes. Again thank you so much!
Bless you this winter and I hope you find your own red rose of inspiration.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Einstein Noodle]

will life ever cease to amaze us eh!? just the thought and image gives such hope in the dead of winter ..tho i live in Arkansas now i spent most of my life in SD and know the dreary, weary blister of winter ...how precious your rose .... thanks for sharing
E.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Yes Einstein, so many places are downright frigid, harsh and brittle to people living there in winter. I'll bet you have lots of memories of snowy beauty intermingled with blizzardy frozeness. Loved hearing a little about your past life! So nice.
Well bye for now and blessings,
Kathy

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha well ...not many plesant from SD ..the snow there does not fall down it is blasted horizontally .. but i grew up in upstate NY and there the beauty of those gentle, huge snowflake kisses does dot me ol' memories too. some very special

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your rose almost turns winter to summer...love can do that...there isn't enough of it in the world these days...we could use more single roses to band together to form that garden of wonder.
j.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Jacob,
Yes our hearts have a life all their own. We even possess our seasons of the soul as well. I like your thougt; "rose slmost turns winter to summer....." That is beautiful. thanks for your nifty review!
Many blessings to you.
Kathy