Death's Hand; a black Rose

One of the world's personification of beauty is a Rose. It is a mystery wrapped in fragrance and color. And defines many meanings in our hearts.

Death's Hand; a black Rose

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

(Thorns and Petals)

On these thorns of misery 

a rose has come to bloom

Its colors echo many gifts

in petals of her plume

Within deepest red is love

that pierces heart's defense 

Indulges all our fantasies 

destroys our common sense 

In lavender enchantment grows

beyond the place of dreams 

Casts us into fairytale

till lost in rainbow beams

Within the white is purity 

as clear as winter's snow

Treasured most by avarice hearts

attracted to its glow

In gold the sign of friendship 

steadfast and resolute 

Where loyalty and honor reign 

amongst its strong pursuits 

But in the hand of Death I see

a gift as black as coal 

Whose lanquished prickly razor stem

proves tempting towards my soul...

Author's Note

I love roses since I was a child and watching my grandmother in her garden tend to them. Their colors just mesmerize me in so many ways. I feel they are made from the stuff of dreams and angels breath. CLE

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I love your images of roses and the emotions exuded from them… you speak of many emotions in a beautiful poetic form… from fantasy to dreams to purity to loyalty, but in the end… it seems like death is dark and prickly but inevitable…..
Love it!
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for your comment. As always I so appreciate the encouraging words of my peers and fellow poets. I like this poem because of its colors. It reminds me of my grandmother's rose garden and watching her tend to her flowers when I was a little boy. She would often talk to them or sing Spanish songs. Only later in life did I learn what the various colors signify. And their purpose to each heart as a gift. I wanted to paint that into words that were as meaningful as the object they speak of. I was proud of the flow and feel of this poem, for it really aligns with much of what my heart feels about these beautiful flowers. A rose. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome, and as a painter, I should have paid more attention to the splendid colors revealed in the poem, my fault...
Best, B

[Lillian Kirsch]

This poem is rather beautiful. The rhyming rolls off the tongue and guides us through all these very human emotions that all of a sudden feel tangible because of the words and descriptions you used.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly for your review Lillian. Watching my grandmother in her garden tending to her roses so many years ago was the impetus of this piece. Remembering back and trying to draw a karmic view of the event 50 yrs later. Much of my inspiration as a writer was from my time with her. She by far had the most influential resonance in my life and continues to this day even after years of her passing. Her garden was an Eden, and as I watched her work it was as if I saw God tending to the world. Thank you so very much again for sharing your thoughts with me. CLE

[Lillian Kirsch]

That's a beautiful way to describe the memory of your grandmother. My grandma is an important part of my life as well and I can relate to that feeling of peace.

[Ken e Bujold]

the opening couplet immediately arrests the mind. a great image on which to build: deliverance from one's own darkness, the possibility of another's offer of redemption. From there the poem attacks one's senses with a well thought out use of colors and emotional warnings. Really enjoyed the poem CLE

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Ken I appreciate your thoughts on this poem. Roses have always held a deep fascination in me. As a young 8 year old watching my grandmother in her garden water and sing to her roses has always been one of my most endearing memories. It was a literal Eden to me. Like God tending the world. Much of my work is inspired by such moments of the past that have left indelibly impressions upon me through life. Trying to weigh a karmic view of them, on the both sides of nature. CLE

[John the Baptist]

I do love rhyming couplets. Well, you have to watch out for those black roses. Would not advise giving them to a lady to make a good impression. On the other hand, they make great funeral statements.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I totally agree JB. As I told Jacob in the comment below I've always been fascinated by roses because my grandmother grew them in her garden. The different colors they come in each represent a story unto themselves. Someday given an opportunity I would like to write a short story for each. Or maybe a set of poems on each individual color. Thank you again my friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

nice use of color scheme here...the roses are beautiful to look at, but sometimes when we reach beneath the surface beauty we are torn apart by the thorns of what they are inside.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you J for your comment on this poem. Roses and their colors have always fascinated me growing up. My grandmother grew them along with other types of flowers in her garden. She would always sing to them or hum a Spanish melody. Their beauty and scent are so distinct, but it's in their colors that speak to me the most. CLE