Cardinal and the Rose

Cardinal and the Rose

As greyness dyes white clouds 
When icy fingers rattle wind chimes of icicles
A shiver rustles still meadows of frost bouquets;
Through brittle gales that howl 
Like exiled banshees
A tiny golden cardinal seeks 
The last yellow rose of summer 
That still blooms in shades of sunlight,
In hues of joyful perfume,
To catch her falling petals etched in sunbeams
As the solstice savage delirium casts them
Into the consuming crystal fire of frost;
Before they whither into forgetfulness
This tiny symbol of devotion
Gathers memories of warm afternoons
To line her winter nest with petals of hope
And the fragrance of joy for golden fledglings
As gilded buds return on new stems
To repeat the cardinal’s warbling song.

1-5-22
Contest: Cardinal and the Rose
Sponsor: Craig Cornish

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023



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Date: 1/20/2023 1:40:00 PM
Such beautiful imagery of hope in winter, Sam: A well deserved win.SuZ
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/20/2023 2:43:00 PM
Thank you so much Suz! This theme of a cardinal and a rose, and their winter relationship born of hope, really captured my imagination. I am so glad you enjoyed this poem. It was an honor to have it on the winners list with so many other creative poems. All the best! Happy New Year. Blessings.
Date: 1/18/2023 3:06:00 PM
Just beautiful, Sam. "to catch her falling petals etched in sunbeams..." lovely.
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/19/2023 11:08:00 AM
Thank you so much Ann. This theme really captured my imagination. The image of the gentle rose and the little bird that treasured her friend just wouldn't leave me. I am so happy you liked it! Sending you blessings carried on wings of joy and the fragrance of hope.
Date: 1/18/2023 1:25:00 PM
returning to congratulate you on a wonderful and deserving win in the contest - i knew craig would love it! :)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/19/2023 11:06:00 AM
Hi Charlotte! I am indeed honored by your lovely message of congratulations. Thank you. I am so glad that you were right!! Take care. All the best! Warm blessings in the depth of winter cold.
Date: 1/18/2023 8:31:00 AM
Sam. big congratulations to you as well sir! Petals of hope, fragrance of joy, so poetically beautiful!!! Happy Wednesday!
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/18/2023 10:27:00 AM
Mike, thank you so much for your lovely note of congratulations. I loved this theme and wanted to emphasize both the beauty of the brave little bird and its tender friendship with the fading rose only to be revived again in the spring. Take care! Blessings.
Date: 1/17/2023 3:56:00 PM
I’m back to congratulate you on your win, Sam. Petals, perfume and golden sunbeams grace your lovely poetic imagery..and I love it! :)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/18/2023 10:23:00 AM
Hi Laura! Many thanks and heartfelt gratitude coming your way. So grateful for your lovely note of congratulations. I thought this was a wonderful theme and I am honored to be on the winners list with so many creative and uniquely written poems. All the best. Blessings to you!
Date: 1/17/2023 2:26:00 PM
Congratulations on your merited podium finish, Sam! Your free verse is beautiful and technically rich. It very much appeals to our senses and imagination. [a fav for me] ~ Regards & Blessings // paul
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/18/2023 10:20:00 AM
Hi Paul! I am indeed honored by your lovely message, your fav (!) and congratulations! Thank you! This was a lovely theme that brought to mind so many images but mostly of the friendship between the bird and the flower. Hope you are well. All the best. Blessings!
Date: 1/16/2023 4:34:00 PM
beautiful imagery of hope and resilience glide through this wind blown beauty. Great job Sam
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/17/2023 2:00:00 PM
John, thank you so much! For me, the cardinal is such a symbol of life in the midst of winter as it makes a winter nest for fledglings in the spring. I loved this theme. Blessings of hope and joy to you! Hope all is well.
Date: 1/16/2023 7:56:00 AM
Back with "Congratulations" on your win. A lovely story/write. Enjoy your win with blessings...............
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/17/2023 1:03:00 PM
Thank you Paula! Even through the winter our rose bushes bloom. Blessings my friend!
Date: 1/10/2023 3:33:00 AM
Love this, Sam. "The white fire of frost" great lines throughout! Best wishes in the contest. Happy 2023 Hugs Charlie :)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/11/2023 10:02:00 AM
Thank you so much Charlie! Your delightful feedback makes a little sunshine on this rainy day - not that I mind the rain being an inveterate northwesterner - but I am so glad you liked it! Happy New Year! Sending you blessings and prayers for you and your family my friend! Hugs!
Date: 1/9/2023 5:27:00 PM
Uniquely penned, Sam, subtle wordings here and there raptures harmoniously my friend, all the best truly, Aloha William
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/11/2023 9:57:00 AM
Ahola noa'aloha! Mahalo William!! I kept thinking about the friendship of the cardinal and the rose - the little bird gathering the fallen petals of their friend to line their nest as winter rages. Everything just seemed to fall into place. I am so glad you liked it. ke Akua pu!!!
Date: 1/9/2023 2:19:00 PM
you were totally 'in the zone' when you wrote this..stunning imagery and use of language in virtually every line; i just love it, and i'm sure craig will love it too.:)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/11/2023 9:51:00 AM
Happy New Year Charlotte! I am so honored by your lovely feedback. Thank you! This theme was such a source of inspiration. I am so happy that you loved it. That is a great compliment! All the best to you!
Date: 1/7/2023 8:38:00 PM
Such a beautiful scene is painted with your soulful imagery, Sam! Your poem truly shines! :)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/9/2023 10:26:00 AM
Happy New Year Laura! Thank you so much for your lovely message! I am indeed humbled and so grateful for your feedback. Having seen pictures of a cardinal and a rose I couldn't help but think of their relationship to each other and their friendship, even through the darkest days of winter. Sending you blessings of joy and peace for 2023 and my heartfelt gratitude!
Date: 1/6/2023 6:33:00 AM
A beautifully penned creative piece. A great contender.
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/6/2023 9:57:00 AM
WJ, thank you so much for your delightful message that is so full of encouragement. I loved this theme and wanted to do it justice as it had so many wonderful layers. I am most grateful for your visit and feedback! Happy New Year!
Date: 1/5/2023 8:31:00 PM
Very beautiful, Sam, Craig will love this one:)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/6/2023 9:43:00 AM
Thank you so much Jo! I am hoping he will like this one. Grateful for your your encouraging words. Happy New Year! Blessings and a toast to 2023!
Date: 1/5/2023 4:50:00 PM
"Before they whither into forgetfulness/ This tiny symbol of devotion/ Gathers memories of warm afternoons/ To line her winter nest with petals of hope"..... How wonderfully your imagination has soared and how beautifully you have connected the cardinal and the rose and built a nest of hope and gave it the fragrance of joy. 'The white fire of frost'... ! A telling image. You are so gifted dear Sam. Love this poem. A sure winner!
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/6/2023 9:53:00 AM
Valsa, my friend, I am blown away by your lovely message and encouragement! Thank you. Your feedback is always so perceptive. You pick up on the details and images that are just beneath the surface. The friendship between the cardinal and the rose kept bubbling to the surface and I wasn't quite sure how to express that in a poem but it finally came together! It is a poem of contrasts, faithful friendship, memories and renewal as the little bird gathers keepsakes in petals to feather her nest!! Blessings of hope and joy to you!
Date: 1/5/2023 2:29:00 PM
This is beautiful Sam. I enjoyed it :)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/6/2023 9:40:00 AM
Many thanks Heidi. I wasn't sure which way to take this theme, but I am pleased with the results! So happy you enjoyed it! Sending you blessings for the new year!
Date: 1/5/2023 1:09:00 PM
I love this write along with Cardinal/Roses. Good Luck. Have a blessed day writing away................
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/6/2023 9:38:00 AM
Thank you so much Paula! I kept thinking about the relationship between this beautiful, yellow rose and this resilient little bird - a symbol of hope through cold winter days and promises of spring returning. Have a wonderful day. Blessings!
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