My Darling, Rose

Her clothes hang in the closet.

The room smells of her perfume.

Their bed is dressed with pillows

of antique lace, some heirloom.

The walls are painted eggshell.

Windows are draped floral green,

and a strand of cultured pearls

lays in silence and unseen.

His hat hangs from the bedpost.

Her slippers wait on the floor.

Silence echoes a sad truth

from behind that bedroom door.

He sleeps with her memory,

but his soul can never rest.

She was all he ever loved,

and he loved the very best.

She left him in December

when he woke to find her dead,

and he wept as he held her

and cradled her precious head.

Her lips were lavender blue

like periwinkle in spring,

and her skin was winter’s ash

or a shadow whispering.

He held her there for hours,

could not bear to let her go,

just one more chance, one moment,

and one lifetime more to go.

She was his very best friend,

his companion, and his wife.

She was more than a partner.

She was the wellspring of life.

His clothes hang in the closet.

The room smells of aftershave.

He wore his hat this morning

to visit her at the grave.

He left a fragrant bouquet,

one last gift of love he chose,

then closed his eyes and whispered,

"Here I come, my darling, Rose."

Author's Note

Reviews

[Keith]

I love your work Linda. You have a fabulous way way with words and supurb poetic skills. :)

[Thepensiveplayer]

Amazing, it makes a man want to cherish the next rose he comes across in the future. I like how you capture the loss of love in this poem because its something people really go through in life. "Though we don't cope with loss well, we can still inspire others with our story to tell." I want you to keep your writing alive because it'll be the fondest memory when you bid this world good-bye. Keep going!

[Zoya]

Ah, truly bittersweet. The tale was wonderfully told. Could feel the sadness. An amazing, touching poem. Loved it!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was so beautiful. A life full of love makes death no robber. Reading this I was reminded of a song by Natalie Merchant entitled My Beloved Wife. I am a musician as well as a poet so everything reminds me of a song. But do give the song a listen if you get the chance and you will see the comparisons my mind drew. Bless.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Beautiful
Yet beautifully sad and poignant

[wordman]

beautiful write,filled with images so vivid and clear

[heavenscentgirl1]

Linda, I am new at the Cafe and while perusing the pages here this piece of yours seemed to pull me in for a read and I'm so glad that it did.

This is a beautifully penned sad piece of poetry that pulled at my heartstrings big time. Your word selections have painted a very clear vision of the reality of how it sometimes is after the loss of a loved one.

From the very first stanza I felt as if I was right there watching the whole scenario unfold ~ and then the last stanza brought it all together nicely ~ with the man & woman soon to be together again.

Thanks for sharing your words with us and I look forward to reading/reviewing more of your offerings.

Blessings,
~ hsg

[Gee]

Man that'd sad. Loved the third stanza, enjoyed the whole write very much.
I put myself in the fellas shoes then ask that I be taken first so that I would not have to feel the pain of separation from my life's true love.

[icelandicblue]

That is a love I believe we all crave. Your words touched me and your characters became so real with just a few words. Your work never fails to move me.

[AkvoLupo]

This is so nicely penned and so full of emotion; brought tears to my eyes.