Along Came Rose, a Maid So Fragile and Young

Rose, a maid so fragile and young, found her way into my life; like a ray of light and of love, she healed my inward strife. From faraway she appeared, sage, wise, and maven; and as she grew closer to me, she saw in me her twin. But from fear and from distrust I sought to push her away: For I feared to let her in and let her have with me her sway. This I did oft' now already; but dear God in Heaven!— by doing thus all I’ve achieved was hurting my new twin. Alas, alas! what have I done to one so giving and so kind? I'm unworthy of her friendship and heart (one that's so hard to find). But…O happy, happy day for me! With her great heart and soul she forgave my many offense so that we may again be whole. My comely, long and sable-haired Rose with your apple-green eyes! How good to me you are,—how kind, how mild, how sweet, how very wise! I am so honored that you call yourself my twin and equal, a version of me at twenty-five:— indeed, we are reciprocal. You have so much potential and mastered so much, dear Rose, that you ought not have to live in cruel self-doubt’s shadows. Sadly, you once said to me: “Men like me, but I can’t see why.” But I see why, dear Rose—for those you love you'd give all and die.