Rose of the Night

...Ponderings on desease and mortality. To my friend, Barbara

The region around the south celestial pole. Photo: ESO (European southern Observatory) Online Digital Sky Survey. The southern hemisphere’s pole star.  From Wikipedia: Sigma Octantis is approximately 270 light years from Earth, and is classified as a giant, with a spectral type of F0 III. It is a Delta Scuti variable, with magnitude varying by about 0.03 magnitudes over 2.3 hours.  Also known as Polaris Australis.

A Co-write of Barbara Brown - http://www.writerscafe.org/bbrown

and Rick Puetter - http://www.writerscafe.org/rpuetter

Thank you Barbara for the inspiration!

-- Rick

Dear Readers,

I am most sorry to say that Barbara Brown passed away March 11, 2014, losing her fight with leukemia.  Her obituary can be found at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Barbara-Brown&lc=1144&pid=170141210&mid=5890520.  May you rest in peace, my friend.

                -- Rick

Rose of the Night

     …A co-write with BLBrown (http://www.writerscafe.org/bbrown)

     “Dedicated to her fight with Cancer…”

 

Diseased--Oh, I’m dying, most beautiful star, 

I turn to you, humbly, though I live afar.

Can you, in your glory, please spare me disease?

Shine blessed rays, graceful, on ' soul--heal me please!

 

I looked to Polaris, but prayed there in vain,

Then looked to Arcturus--was shunned with disdain.

Still fangs of dire Cancer eat me inside out

Thus ' turned to you, stranger, brave star of the south.

 

Oh, Sigma Ocantis, though you’re not as bright,

O'er north-star, Polaris, I laud your gold light.

Please heal me, and guide me, though you shine afar,

You’ve saved many others, south-mariner star!

 

Oh, take me, enfold me--pour sweet healing wine,

And I’ll drink your light from our galaxy’s vine.

I call you, and beg you, in oft pleaded verse,

Bloom of cosmic garden, please end diseased curse!

 

Like ' child, I lie helpless, and beg with this prayer,

Please spare me this darkness--this lot I can’t bear!

In fear, desperation, I’m seeking your light--

Need radiant healing, kind Rose of the Night!

 

 

©2012 Barbara Brown and Richard Puetter

each and individually.

Author's Note

To my coauthor: The inspiration was yours, Dear Lady! If I could help, it was only my deepest pleasure.

Kindest regards, and best wishes for a most kind tomorrow!

Rick

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Dear Barbara and Rick!

Sensational and captivating in all aspects!

As cancer, a disease without mercy tears one down as it is doing to you Barbara, we search for answers, reasons, attempt to come to grips with it, find some purpose in it as you have done in your touching words that reach into the very depths of the cosmos.

To Barbara.......you leave me speechless with your poetic plea and I send you only the best of hope in fighting this dire disease which has already claimed my dear husband, Barry. May you remain strong, find solace in your writing, continue to fight the good fight, love your family and friends, and draw from others the strength you need in doing so! Dearest Barbara may you be spared the darkness, find the light, receive radiant healing from the Rose of the Night!! There are many who care!!! Above all, DON'T EVER GIVE UP!! May the rose of the night fill you with a fragrance of healing!!


To Rick........your kind and willing spirit to help others shines in this piece as you and Barbara have come together to create words which pierce the heart. You have taken your knowledge of the universe, together with her emotions and made this a piece to ever remember!! As always, your form is perfection!!

Thank you to both of you for giving us a glimpse into the heart of one struggling to survive with the gentle spirit of another to guide you!

Indeed, an exquisite co-write!!!!

Best Regards,
Sheila

[Roland Petrov]

A desperate and beautiful prayer to the stars. Since Cancer is a constellation, praying to stars when afflicted with cancer is not inappropriate, and what a bonus to have the prayer become an inspirational poem!

[Great Aunt Astri]

I am sorry to hear of the passing on of Barbara. may she rest in peace.
The poem is lovely. The line ' Oh, take me, enfold me - pour sweet healing wine
And I'll drink your light from the galaxy's vine.' is particularly poignant.

[Ruth]

Both hearts here have moved me - I am so sorry for your loss, death will always be something so damn painful. This is such a searching and fragile piece that I can't voice my emotions, touched me, deeply...much love to you and Barbara, such a poem lives on, beautiful x

[Relic]

What a bittersweet time to read this knowing she has now passed away. This is incredible poetry. Her words will live on in this gift to all who read this. You both did a spectacular job.

[Brittney]

Congrats on winning the contest, this poem blew me away. So amazing, written incredibly well. Read enjoyed your vocabulary and story behind this piece. Bravo

[Zahra]

Wonderfully written. Really don't have words.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is sublime! So well thought out and tender in its presentation it almost made me weep.

[Tex]

Wow this is a psalm worthy of placement alongside others in the most popular book of poems, verse, stories, fables, and history, the bible.

It is magnificent. Well done.

[...]

Oh my god! This is so beautifully stunning!!!

[Marie]

Brilliantly written.

Every planet's god can send
Healing to an earthly friend.