The Rose Held In The Mind Is Fairer

the rose held in the mind is fairer
where it always shines
and perfect from the stem

unfolds its scarlet, blush, or
pear, soft tangerine, l but, more than these
as the rosebush

you remember from your youngest of
rose days when everything beautiful
you named "rose"

when you first learned to say:
"rose" as if to pray in Rose
began for you that day

and still you want to pray in roses
speak in Rose a hidden langusge
specific to only you

though all legends are beautiful in the mind
confused, a little, except that as
in St. Exupery

you mean every time

the rose that is mine
and mine only.
suffer not the sheen of this rose to depart:

heart's blood it is and fragrant forever;
beyond all wounds its petals bloom rose light,
beyond incursive darkness

set apart

mary angela douglas 25 january 2016