Amidst the Fallen Petals

He was ever gentle with her
always careful
composed
never passing the boundaries
never asking too much
a man of his culture
and bearing
didn’t move too fast

She was a flower
pristine...virginal
a flower he had plucked
from her family’s garden
with their blessing
she was safe in his keeping
though her scent drove him mad
its floral fragrance fascinating
deliriously desirous
she was fresh and innocent
he meant to make her bloom

He was patient
It was enough that she had consented to be his
she admired him
that he knew
it would be enough
enough
for now…

And so he waited
willing for her to feel
admiration turn to love
love turn to passion
and so, he put her in a vase
filled with the nourishment of his love
and he tended to her
admiring her
his fragrant rose

Tonight he showed her the home
that would be hers
theirs….

But what was this?
that look in her eye
different
the shyness gone
he saw…. longing
her face radiant
her lips inviting
petal pink
to match her cheeks
his rose
his flower
HIS
and yet
he dared not touch her that way
for fear of crushing her
in his rough hands

She whispered
ever so lightly
perhaps he dreamed it
maybe it was the breeze
whispering through the window
as it danced in her hair

No, there it was again…
“It is time…
I am ready.”
the meaning of her words
hung in the space between them
making it impossible to breathe
or even to think

And he watched
incapable of movement
as she stepped away from him
in the middle of the room
she turned to look at him
and one by one
she unfurled the petals
of her clothing
and let them fall down
fluttering to the floor
layer upon layer…discarded
all the while
as she undressed
ever so slowly
her eyes invited him

There she stood
with no covering
her raven hair
cascaded down her skin
reaching down 
to the curve of her breasts
covering what he had only seen
touched
tasted
in dreams…
but this
this was real
she was real
and she held out her hand to him

"Do I please you?"
her voice caressed the words
for she knew
the power of her beauty
she must have seen the answer
there in his eyes 
for she moved forward
ever so slightly
“Come…come to me, my love…”

He was there
in an instant
his arms around her
he was there
before the lilting cadence of her last word
had a chance to fade away

She smiled,
once again a little shy
She reached up to him
letting him melt into her kiss
as she slowly drew him down

There
surrounded by the strewn petals
on the floor of their home
in the bed of his heart
he claimed her
as his own...
his flower
his rose
amidst the fallen petals...
he heard her sigh

Eileen Manassian Ghali
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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12
Yates Avatar
January 22, 2015 at 4:29 PM
If all poems are autobiographical, as they say, this one is especially revealing. You are so prolific in your writing, I hardly knew where to start. So I started here, with free verse.
Martin Avatar
November 26, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Your were right about having other "teasing" poems. This is another beautiful, exotic & sensually pleasing performance:) Tou'Chay! Terry PS: I updated "Awakening" if you care to take a peek and render your HONEST professionally poetic opinion.
Manassian Avatar
November 26, 2014 at 8:16 AM
:) Thanks, Terry. So happy you like my work. I will have a read of your poem...Please give me a few minutes. I'm looking for a poem title...Will get on it after that. :)
Lamoureux Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 7:33 AM
Now you are at number, I am giving you another 7, let's push this one to the top!
Lamoureux Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 12:50 PM
I'm someone and I congratulated you.
Manassian Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 7:43 AM
RICHARD!!! This is the closest I've EVER been! :) OH OH OH! To get that number one spot!!! It means so much in many ways. Thanks for your support, Richard!!! HUGS HUGS HUGS! BTW...I won't in the seduction contest. I'm really gutted though cause no one seems to want to congratulate me! :( Oh well....Thanks for the visit!
Ii Avatar
October 1, 2014 at 7:23 AM
amazing!
Manassian Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 7:44 AM
Thanks for your visit, Yoma II!
Ledbetter Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 11:03 PM
Very good, but is he talking about you, Eileen?
Manassian Avatar
September 30, 2014 at 3:38 AM
Hmmmm....interesting question, Lionel. The reader takes what he wants from the poem. I like to leave it that way.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 9:48 AM
I see this is now number three in the top 100!
Manassian Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 10:05 AM
NO!!!! Are you serious with me????? Oh, Richard!!! That is wonderful news! :) You know what, though. I've been in this position before. I'd SO love to be number 1. If just for a day! :) Oh...that would make me so so happy. Hugs to you. Thanks for telling me the good news.
Yvonne Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:20 PM
Eileen basque in your glory. This one is your Mt. Everest and you are the only one sitting on its peak. Congratulations on the writing of this symphony. Congratulations on being Poem of the day. I hope it is also picked as poem of the week.
Manassian Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 4:01 PM
You are a kind man, Maurice. I love being there at the top. Poetry means the world to me. Thank you so much for your lovely visit and encouragement. Hugs
Lamoureux Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 5:58 PM
I'm glad you did and yes it is that good!
Manassian Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 4:02 PM
Smiles all around! :)
Day Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 5:53 PM
Awesome poem. Really enjoyed it.
Manassian Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 4:03 PM
I appreciate the visit, Sean.
Horn Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Moving, compassionate, desireful, craving, sexuous yet humble, respectful and rewarding and loyal. Other that that it was outstanding. Jim Horn
Manassian Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 4:03 PM
:) James....what an awesome post this it. I'm humbled. Thanks ever so much.
Allison Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 10:15 AM
poem of the day - should be poem of the decade! many congrats:-) hugs jan xxx
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 10:17 AM
YOU....my dear....YOU ROCK!!! How absolutely endearingly sweet you are, Jan! :) Hugs
Lamoureux Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:19 AM
It appears I have excellent tastes, wait its not about me *lol*! Congratulations and a big hug for poem of the day. It appears the judges have excellent taste as well.
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:43 AM
That hug sure feels good, Richard. I know you are happy for me. What you don't know is....on the original poem, you posted that I should enter it into the contest.....I was..."Are you sure it's that good?" ;) Prophetic that it should be poem of the day! Thank you, Richard. I reworked this and reposted it....and I am happy I did. You always encourage me. :) :) :)
Mcdaid Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 8:45 AM
very beautifully painted eileen excellent piece of writing
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Good to see you here, Liam. :) You are in my favorite poet file, you know....Welcome here to my poem of the day!
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Grandeur of passion and poetry here!!! I remember Paul telling me how petals can turn into something more.. :D!
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:50 AM
Hi, Olive....good to have you visit. Paul is a wise man. Thanks for the post! Hugs
Walker  Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 1:46 AM
Beautiful Eileen... Congratulations on this super-awesome win for such a beautifully written masterpiece of romantic interlude and love. Verlena
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:52 AM
Verlena.....I thought for a moment that you were confused and you thought this was for a contest. Then....with the other posts, it dawned what you were referring to. I'm a silly goose! Thanks, my dear....for your awesome post. :) Kind words that lighten up my soul. Hugs
Sibanda Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 1:41 AM
What an amazing poem! Thanks for this superb dish of words and creativity. Truly delicious!
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:54 AM
Thanks ever so much, Ndaba. I'm glad you found this to your liking! :)
Lindley Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 2:58 PM
This masterpiece floored me. wow, If I could have only written this for my wife!! It humbles me dearly.. This gem I will fav and give a super, super 7 rating. Takes a damn lot to stir this old very experienced dog like that but you did, man did you ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:55 AM
:) Oh Robert, to floor you is quite an achievement. I'm humbled with your lovely praise. :) Thank you for bringing me joy today.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 9:24 AM
I like how you let this simmer and then turned up the heat until it reached a crescendo. This is ooh la la delicious. 7777777 and favorite!
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:56 AM
Crescendos are nice!!! It's all the more better when the simmering has had its time! ;) Thanks, Richard....OH LA LA DELICIOUS...better than dessert! Hugs
Trifiatis Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 5:03 AM
Captivating! This poem is the epitome of a romantic relationship! It exalts the respect that a man ought to have towards his beloved, waiting for the flower of her feelings to bloom without any rush! A heavenly consummation with an etheric aroma that she offers to the only one worthy of it! A seven! Welcome back my dearest, you were missed!
Manassian Avatar
September 28, 2014 at 9:59 AM
Oh...I love being missed, my dear poet. For a while I thought that all would go on without me...I'm glad you've missed me for when you're away, I miss you terribly too. Hugs!!! Filakia...
Bordner Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 11:32 PM
Comin back for more of this rosey heaven. I really feel him attempting to subdue is crave for her absolute touch with a manly poise. Just enthralled by how the rose signals the moment for embrace. This is truly, truly a beautiful work of love art Eileen. You are truly among the greatest writers of the world...I can't get enough of your work woman! J.A.B.
Manassian Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 3:55 AM
Rosey heaven....what a beautiful thought. Love...the kind of love that brings complete abandon...the opening up of the soul, not just the body comes from perfect trust...knowing that you are adored....that you are unique...that there is none other....The rose knew her time had come to disrobe. She was secure in his love. Your last two sentences of this post are to treasure....I think you for bringing me joy in a particularly difficult time. Thank you.
Bordner Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 8:57 PM
A culmination of courtship where the body of a rose declares the moment of passion's bloom, inner essence to consume, and sensational love to be hewn from petals of patient adoration. I love how you romantically describe the elegant evolution of admiration, love, and mature passion Eileen!The way she takes control of his will, her loving seduction,going into the final stroke of perfection, exaltation! A FAV. Making love couldn't be done any better than this Masterpiece of destin union...J.A.B.
Manassian Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 3:52 AM
Justin...your posts are just so good. I love reading them. I do. I love reading them as I love reading your poems. You choose your words...you don't just write anything that comes to mind. Everything is well thought out...This post is no exception. Thank you, for visiting me. I love your visits.
Brown Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 5:46 PM
A picture may say a 1,000 words, but sometimes only words can truly portray what we picture. Amazing work Eileen
Manassian Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 3:56 AM
David, thank you ever so much for your visit and kind words here. I'm glad these words were able to convey this story that was running around in my head. There was a contest way back when on a bed of petals or some such thing. I didn't join the contest, but I did write something. I've been unable to write lately, so I took that write and reworked it a bit. Glad you liked it. :)
Chircop Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 4:13 PM
I can reread this beauty a million times,How passionate and ever so beautiful this is..Charma
Manassian Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 3:57 AM
Oh....and I could give you a million hugs and more for being a true friend to me, Charma. I thank you for always visiting and giving me flowers of praise. Bless you, my sweet.
Allison Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 3:32 PM
arousing sensual passionate - wow Eileen this poem ticked all the boxes - simply outstanding my friend:-) Hugs jan xxx
Allison Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 5:09 AM
You say the kindest things Eileen - I am blushing here now:-) Hugs Jan xxx
Manassian Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 3:58 AM
Awwwwwww......and those are all the boxes I love most. Thanks ever so much, Jan. You are a sweetheart, you know that? Hugs
Bauer Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 3:26 PM
wow! this is amazing, eileen! very beautiful and sensual and wonderful!
Manassian Avatar
September 27, 2014 at 3:50 AM
Just what I like to hear, Ilene. Thank you for your sweet visit and posts. Hugs to you, my dear.
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