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

[Nipplegrinder]

A simply well-scribed slice of heart-wrenching beauty.

[Ethan]

Hmm, I love this for a lot of reasons, but I specifically enjoyed that you omitted the characters' names. Nicely done :)

[Silmara McGarry]

This is definitely the most beautiful poem I read in the last times. Wonderfully brilliant and absolutely captivating in its sadness and beauty!
A master well done from me!
All best,
:-)
Sil

[emipoemi]

Love the rhythm, love the echoes, love the story!! Brilliantly written! Kind of reminds me of Alfred Noyes's "The Highwayman" in some places (mainly rhythm). Fantastic!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you.

[MsJewel]

Sad and yet so beautifully written. Your words just curl right up in my heart. Haunting poetry and such a pleasure to read. Julie

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thanks, Julie.

[Samuel Dickens]

Reading along and inserting my own experiences into this, the impact was personal. Sad beyond sad, criticism of his action should perhaps be withheld, since none of us really know what we'd do if in his shoes. My sister-in-law awoke the same way, with my cold dear brother beside her.
I should add that the illustration is perfect.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Samuel. I am sorry to hear about your brother and his dear wife. It is a tragedy for everyone and all.

I was going to originally use a portrait of an old man, then decided to find roses on a grave. That then turned into his wife becoming Rose and finally this picture. Like you, I thought it was perfect.

[Tom]

'Parting is such sweet sorrow' ....And indeed so in such sudden, tragic circumstances !

Marvellously Melancholic with a tearful melody to accompany this touching poem, excellent!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Tom.

[Elisabeth Acosta]

The imagery you created is beautiful. It is like a fragrance that carries the beauty of pain that can only be experienced when you love someone, and then lose that person.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Elisabeth.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is gut wrenching.....i think of Patches by Dickey Lee..."it may not be right, but i'll join you tonight, Patches i'm coming to you"
there is that heartbreak...as when two people are married for so long that when one passes, the other is not far behind....can no longer live alone.
beautiful poetry, just so sad.
j.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Jacob. I assumed Patches was a poem but discovered that it is a song. He almost sounds like Elvis and the lyrics are really pretty.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

was 1962 i believe...another of those tragedy songs...

[William Liston]

This is one of the most beautifully melancholic, heart-tugging poems I've ever read. In his essay "The Philosophy of Composition," Edgar Poe claimed, "the death of a beautiful woman is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world" ... couldn't help but think of that after reading.
Along with the appealing visual presentation, you've given poignant, sorrowful words to resonate within the reader's mind. Your choice of words and description, in both their delicacy and elegance, are absolutely marvellous ... you didn't waste a single line.
The last two stanzas struck me the most in how they conveyed the man's longing for his lover as well as how sad he felt when she died. The image of him holding his woman for hours was haunting, to say the least.
The implication of the last line sums everything up nicely.
Brilliant work.

- William Liston

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

William,

Thank you for taking time to walk with me today. Your thoughts are valued and appreciated.