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

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

Wish I could write as beautifully as you do... thank you

[AK]

Wow! Brilliant poem! It is nice that this poem refers to Sigma Ocantis instead of the usual(almost cliché) Polaris. Your wording and syntax are both wonderful! I loved it! The rhyming scheme is the cherry on the top:) Keep writing!

[WhiteWillow]

This is a wonderfully inspiring piece by two extremely talented people. The words and verses are seemless. I could get lost in the night sky you paint with your words.

[Deandra Dawn]

Beautifully done....

[Tate Morgan]

Ah I see you are back in rare form again.All it takes is inspiration .Who isn't inspired and yet humbled to dream of the distant solar systems that wink at us each night?

[Muse]

Oh, take me, enfold me--pour sweet healing wine,
And I’ll drink your light from our galaxy’s vine.

Gasp! Is it possible to write something so inspiring and lovely? I believe so...because this poem sent shivers through my spine. My family is all too familiar with the evil "C" word. This is a humiliating disease that creates suffering for not just one...but for the whole entire family and community. Thank you for sharing this prayer...I hope it generates more healing light Barbara's way.

Muse

[Siddhartha]

Oh my! This is a truly captivating poem Rick. You and Barbara have created something very special here. In this cosmic battle that resonates with hope and how it personifies another battle with a dangerous enemy - it has that magical aura about it - as if all the stars and the whole of the universe will try to set things right this one last time. Truly enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.

[Arthur Henn]

Rick and Barbara - What a beautiful collaboration... This was special in my own heart of existence... My mom has cancer... Both breasts removed, just finished her chemo sessions, now she is into her third of six weeks of radiation treatment...

This writing has touched my heart in a special way...