A Rose and Her Thorns

A lovely rose grew to the garden's delight,
a poem of sunrise surrounded by night.
One day her friend Ivy asked "Why do you mourn?" 
Rose answered, "I've lost my beloved dear thorn. 

"We've been closer than close since I was a young bud, 
now I fear he has fallen down into the mud. 
He protected this vine, but I trust our Creator 
we shall meet again, be it sooner or later."

Another thorn fell then, and nearly another. 
Poor Rose mourned and prayed as would any sad mother.
"I must carry on", she said, "find ways to cope,
composing new poems to give others hope".

With courage and kindness she faced each new day, 
always loving and knowing the right words to say. 
She lost a few petals when summer storms blew, 
but her friends in the garden all felt she pulled through.

One day Ivy looked and with sadness profound
saw the flowerless vine and her friend on the ground.
But the vine's saddest loss was the soil's richest gain, 
for Rose and her thorns were united again.

For Connie Marcum-Wong. We miss you dear rose, but 
rejoice that you are finally reunited with your loved ones.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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12
Anaya Avatar
December 23, 2022 at 8:55 AM
In the short time I had to get to know Connie, a generous and uplifting soul, she was an inspiration as you are John. "A Rose and Her Thorn" an enchanting metaphor used in such a sweet story for her. I came back to congratulate you on your POTW! Wishing you all the best ~ Anaya ~Faving
Ray Choudhury Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 5:12 AM
Congratulations on POTW, Dear John, although I am very very late. You are a wonderful story-teller - how amazing is your creation about Connie's life! A Rose is the perfect description of her beauty - inside and out! Best wishes ~ Mala
Romios Avatar
October 18, 2022 at 11:28 AM
Zowie!! Piomen of the week? You are The “Killer with a Quill” John! Amazed at the beauty you create, Imagine how Connie is smiling with her new angelic splendor. Thank you. FAV. Huggs, Pangie
Watt Avatar
October 18, 2022 at 11:55 PM
"Killer with the Quill", you crack me up, my friend. Just a simple man writing simple poems. I'm happy imaging Connie smiling, but still sad from her absence. Thank you for the honor of your fave, it means a lot to me. Hugs ~ John
Proxenos Avatar
October 14, 2022 at 7:42 AM
What a beautiful poem for a wonderful sister we all lost. I still cannot believe it, we all miss her and this precious poem you wrote for her, how awesomely you blended the rose, the thorns and Connie. I LOVE IT. Congratulations my dear friend on being awarded POTW. A great honor for a lovely lady. I am only starting to come right the last day or so, i only realized the trauma i had been through when my husband explained everything to me. Hugs and blessing, Jenn.
Watt Avatar
October 18, 2022 at 11:52 PM
Thank you for spreading the love, dear sister. I can hardly believe she's gone. I keep seeing comments she wrote just days or weeks before she died... so full of life. I'm sorry you have gone through such trauma. Hope there is steady improvement. Blessings and hugs ~ John
Fowler Avatar
September 27, 2022 at 8:01 AM
Huge congrats for POTW John. Such a lovely tribute deserving of the honor.
Watt Avatar
October 18, 2022 at 11:00 PM
Thank you for your sweet visit Linda. Connie is well deserving of all the tributes this past month. I sure miss her. Hope all is well with you.
Lawrence Avatar
September 26, 2022 at 5:42 PM
Dear John , This touched my heart so deeply. I am late in responding . Life has been extremely busy . Big congratulations on your POTW ! Such a beautiful tribute to our dear Connie . Your expression in words and emotions is so tender and beautiful. We will all miss her, however her soul shines brightly here and as you said she is with her beloved again . Big hugs and all blessings my friend. Love, Susan :)
Watt Avatar
September 26, 2022 at 10:45 PM
Aw, thank you dear friend for your touching comment today. You are so right about Connie's soul shining brightly here... it's easy to see what an impact she made by the depth and breadth of the comments being made and tributes being written since she left us. And we draw a little closer together, knowing every day is a gift. With much appreciation... hugs ~ John
M  Avatar
September 24, 2022 at 5:31 PM
How very, very beautiful and sad John. A beautiful tribute to Connie your dear friend. Debx
Watt Avatar
September 24, 2022 at 8:28 PM
Thanks Deb for the read and lovely comment ~ John
Emate Avatar
September 24, 2022 at 1:34 AM
A well-deserved POTW. We will surely miss Connie so much.
Watt Avatar
September 24, 2022 at 9:30 AM
Thank you Thompson for your kind comment. Yes, she will be dearly missed but lives on through her poetry ~ John
Hankins Avatar
September 21, 2022 at 8:48 AM
A beautiful tribute to Connie, John. So deserving of this recognition. Congratulations!
Watt Avatar
September 21, 2022 at 4:31 PM
Thank you Milt for your kind comment and congrats. You are one of the premier encounters here. Enjoy your day ~ John
Kauffman Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 4:44 PM
John, congratulations on your POTW! What beautiful metaphoric writing as a tribute to our dear Connie now re-united in faith with her husband, her son and her God! Your immense poetic talent is on full display like a walk-off winning home run! Tears came to my eyes because of the tenderness expressed in your words dear friend! Sending you blessings R&R bro! I rejoice with you in your success!
Watt Avatar
September 20, 2022 at 6:17 PM
Sam, thank you very much for the high fives. Being at peace in heaven and reunited with loved ones and God is a favorite theme, and one I know Connie was very fond of as well. We miss her in this vale of tears but have so much to look forward to. Your generosity with words is a great blessing, my friend. Autumn blessings to you my R&R sis!
Calasibetta Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 11:31 AM
Congratulations on your POTW! A loving and moving tribute to dear Connie! :)Paulette
Watt Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 8:58 PM
Thank you for reading, Paulette. She was such an inspiration. I appreciate your kind message ~ John
La France Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 6:08 AM
John, such a lovely tribute to our beloved poet Connie, I love this, and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE WEEK honor, blessings ~
Watt Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 8:57 PM
Thank you Constance for your sweet note of congrats and blessings. There is comfort in knowing we are not alone in our mourning ~ John
Meadows Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 12:23 AM
A lovely poem. Congratulations on your POTW.
Watt Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 8:53 PM
Thank you Jeanette. It's nice to meet you here at Poetry Soup.
Tor Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 7:09 PM
Dear John I just found out You received POTW. I am back again to Congratulate you! It does not Surprise me at all, what took them so long? Just kidding. They do a great Job in knowing quality Poetry when they see it, and of course they saw this amazing Poem of yours. I knew when I first read it that it was a Spectacular heartfelt Poem cleverly written and unique. I am so glad this Contribution in Connies legacy was featured by the Judges. Now everyone can see how wonderful your words are used to Convey Connies transition into
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 10:51 PM
Michael, thank you for your friendly words of support and remembrance of Connie. Each time I read a new tribute poem my heart is glad to read the memorials people are writing. It is cathartic and healing both to write about and to read about the one we miss. I'm looking forward to reading the entries to Suzanne's Constanza contest. Thank you again, my friend. God bless ~ John
Tor Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 7:11 PM
heaven. John again Congratulations my friend and thank you for keeping Connie's legacy alive in our hearts through your much adored Poetry. God bless you John...
Nicole Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 4:10 PM
A "Rose" for every season. Yes, Connie will always be with us, because her memory lives on. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. Congratulations John, on Poem of the Week. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 10:45 PM
Thank you dear friend. Though we will miss Connie, we are grateful for the poetry and memories she left behind. Grateful for your kind words. Enjoy your week. Hugs ~ John
Pandit Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 3:06 PM
BIG congrats on POTW, John. Awesome dedication you wrote to honor Connie. May she RIP.
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 3:25 PM
Thank you Vijay. She will be dearly missed. I appreciate your kind support ~ John
Anaya Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 2:32 PM
A beautifully penned tribute poem for Connie Marcum-Wong. One of the best! "We miss you dear rose, but rejoice that you are finally reunited with your loved ones." by John watt and all of us! Bless you, I Am Anaya
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 3:24 PM
Thank you IAA for your generous comment. I agree that Connie was one of the best; truly one of the pillars of Soup and a beacon of kindness. Blessings ~ John
Baker Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 6:38 AM
Such a compassionate and loving poem, John. A FAV for me. A heart felt tribute to Connie, a rose of a person. Congratulations on the well deserved POTW, my friend. Blessings, Bill
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 11:38 AM
Thank you for the fave and kind words, my friend. I'm happy to see the spotlight continue for our dear friend Connie. She remains in our hearts forever ~ John
Kitchin Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 6:03 AM
John, back to congratulate you on POTW, a well deserved honor!
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 11:35 AM
Thank you Tania, very kind of you to make the return visit ~ John
Cunningham Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 1:30 AM
Back with congratulations John on the honour of POTW. Well deserved too. Have a great day. Tom
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 9:30 AM
Much appreciated, Tom. Hope you're enjoying your weekend ~ John
Seeker Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 1:13 AM
A clear fave ~ congrats on POTD, John
Seeker Avatar
September 19, 2022 at 12:50 AM
Upgraded to POTW, well deserved!
Watt Avatar
September 18, 2022 at 9:29 AM
Thank you Seeker. Your presence here is always an encouragement.
Fowler Avatar
September 17, 2022 at 10:32 AM
I had to fav this John. Linda
Watt Avatar
September 17, 2022 at 4:29 PM
Thank you for the fav and all the kind visits and comments today, Linda!
Brul Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 7:46 PM
"One day Ivy looked and with sadness profound saw the flowerless vine and her friend on the ground. But the vine's saddest loss was the soil's richest gain, for Rose and her thorns were united again." What more can I say? This sweet tribute have spoken all. Blessings.
Watt Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 10:39 PM
J, thank you for stopping by to read this memorial to our dear friend Connie. She was so much of what we love to see at Soup: beautiful poetry, uplifting comments, positive attitude. Thank you for leaving us with your thoughts. Blessings ~ John
Nicole Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 7:36 PM
John, your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. Connie was a beautiful rose and those precious thorns were taken from her, which left her heartbroken. I believe she was mourning over those thorns (her husband and her son). Her heart never fully recovered from the pain. She's now reunited with her husband and son. We miss her here, but she's where she belongs. You have written a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful woman and friend. My best to you. Hugs and blessings. ~ Brandy
Watt Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 10:36 PM
"We miss her here, but she's where she belongs." Thank you for this reminder, dear Brandy. This helps us to get through our own sadness; to recall that Connie is where she is meant to be, reunited and in perfect peace. Her faith in God was always an important part of her life and spirit. Thank you for your kind visit. She was indeed a wonderful woman and friend. Hugs ~ John
May Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 3:55 PM
A heartfelt tribute to our dear Connie, She will be sorely missed
Watt Avatar
September 15, 2022 at 10:33 PM
Amen to all you said, Joseph. Thank you for stopping by for a visit and sharing your thoughts.
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