Notes About The Poem

Crimson Rose

Crimson Rose 

Against all odds, your destiny, 
To live and grow, your history...
You grew and bloomed with all your might 
With drops of rain and harsh sunlight 
Through crack in earth you came to be. 

Passed down from Greek mythology; 
Adonis born from Myrrha's tree 
In wild boars wounds from Ares fight 
Against all odds. 

Adonis' blood that flowed freely        
Turned into roses magic'ly.        
This sad tale of Adonis' plight  
Engaged in death, now retains light      
As you share love in purity      
Against all odds. 

8-2-18

2.

*In Greek mythology, roses originated from Adonis, deity of plants and rebirth. Adonis was born from a deceptive union between King Theias and his daughter Myrrha. When King Theias realized that his daughter had tricked him, he chased her with his sword. To protect Myrrha, Aphrodite transformed her into a tree.

King Theias shot the tree with an arrow, splitting it in half. It was from this tree that Adonis was born. Aphrodite took to Adonis and raised him like a son. As Adonis grew, he became an avid hunter. One day while he was hunting, Adonis came across Ares, one of Aphrodite’s past lovers, who was disguised as a wild boar. Ares attacked Adonis and when Aphrodite heard his screams, she ran into the forest and found him dying. The blood that ran from his wounds hit the ground and turned into roses.

In another version of the tale, red roses originated when Aphrodite was running to Adonis’ side, cut her feet on the thorns of the flowers, and stained them red.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Ravidas Avatar
April 15, 2019 at 7:17 AM
Rondeau in a poet's portfolio is a proof of high mastery. Oh, I see you won a contest! Congratulations)
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 15, 2019 at 4:23 PM
Thank you Kurt. They are certainly a challenge. : )
Reese Avatar
November 4, 2018 at 11:38 PM
Very nice rondeau. Mythology can be very inspiring. I wrote a poem about the sirens in greek mythology.
Kendrick Avatar
August 29, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Congrats on your winning work ..Way to go.. Sara
Dietrich Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 9:01 PM
I'm so glad to see you got a podium win with THIS fine poem,Connie. We both loved that red rose picture and were inspired. Congrats!!
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 11:11 PM
Thank you Andrea. It is the only Rondeau I have ever written. : )
Canerdy Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 6:24 PM
CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win! Janice
May Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Very interesting mythology on the rose Connie..Congrats on your win..
Sands Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 5:18 PM
Congratulations for your win Connie :)
Godwin Avatar
August 25, 2018 at 11:21 PM
I'm impressed with your knowledge of Greek mythology and wonder what prompted this write. The poem is written so well that before the reader knows it, he or she has learned something. I enjoyed this very much, Connie - and I love knowing something else about you. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 25, 2018 at 11:51 PM
It is written for a contest CayCay. It is the only Rondeau I have ever written. I love mythology that always has some truth in it. Thank.you CayCay! : )
Laurie Avatar
August 8, 2018 at 1:57 AM
Hello Connie … your poem reads beautifully Connie. It's marvellous how mythology has survived all this time. At one time, aboriginal dreamtime was swept aside here as plain nonsense; but now most are fascinated on their interpretation, and without a written language, handed down for countless generations - thank you Connie - Lindsay
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 8, 2018 at 2:09 AM
I know about dreamtime. What you say is so true. Everyone, every culture has a history passed down by word or script and there is truth behind the events. I love it that dreamtime is now being recognized as an important part of history in Australia. Nice to hear from you. Thank you Lindsay. : )
Babcock Avatar
August 6, 2018 at 12:13 PM
Enjoyed this gem. Hope you are feeling better and up and getting around. Just had my surgery and doing well. Take care. love phyl
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 6, 2018 at 3:13 PM
Good to hear Phyl. I hope you mend quickly. I am doing well with rehab. Takes a while for the pain to subside. Thank you for the visit and comment. Blessings, Connie xxoo
Horne Avatar
August 5, 2018 at 9:48 AM
love this very clever & beautiful write
Lindley Avatar
August 5, 2018 at 9:47 AM
Beautiful verses and love the mythology represented. You never fail, you always deliver exceptional, top class poetry! This to me is magnificent poetry and a great fav....
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 5, 2018 at 3:15 PM
Thank you so much Robert. I adore tryng to understand how things originate, mythology and history. I appreciate very much the fave my friend! : )
Dietrich Avatar
August 4, 2018 at 6:01 PM
wow. I love how you took a mythologicaL approach, Connie. I gotta put mine up pretty soon!! Gosh, I hope I did not miss out. I don't think the contest closed yet, Did it?? Gotta run and see.
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 5, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Thank you Andrea. I look forward to reading what you come up with. : )
Pettit Avatar
August 4, 2018 at 1:57 PM
The accompanying explanation was very interesting and shed light of understanding on your work.
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 5, 2018 at 3:19 PM
Yes, the form was too short to include the story, so I had to add some of the myth behind it. Thank you Robert. : )
Lamoureux Avatar
August 4, 2018 at 9:37 AM
Impressive Connie, you put a lot of thought into this piece. Bravo.
Raven Avatar
August 4, 2018 at 4:29 AM
Hi Connie, as soon as i did read the title of this excellent poem i had to come in and read, As always, your words met all expectations. An excellent write on the origins of the rose. Such an insightful write into the mythological origin of the rose. Have a wonderful weekend Connie. Hugs....Mike. XX
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 5, 2018 at 3:20 PM
Thank you very much Mike. I enjoy reading about myths of the past eras. : )
Duet Avatar
August 4, 2018 at 1:25 AM
Very interesting, Connie, and a very clever poem.
Cunningham Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 1:52 PM
A very informative verse Connie with accompanying notes, very interesting. Tom
Onclaud Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 1:01 PM
edith hamilton would certainly agree with your version of a rose's origin... very fascinating, connie... a winner , this one!..huggs
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 4:20 PM
Thank you very much Nette. It is my first Rondeau I have ever written. It was a challenge with the eight syllable count. : )
Devonshire Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 12:00 PM
Excellent! Not only do you offer a beautiful poem about Adonis and the rose, but you provide some welcome insight into the mythological origins of roses. You are doing some very fine writing, Connie. Love, Carolyn
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 4:22 PM
Thank you very much Carolyn. I love reading about mythology. The origins and the stories coming from them. : )
Robinson Jr. Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 11:48 AM
An elegantly expressed poem, Connie. Superbly done. Excellent rondeau poetry. Love and more love always.
Pandit Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 7:40 AM
Thank you for the footnotes--and your lovely poem, Connie..your photos and verses are enlightening.
Warrior Avatar
August 2, 2018 at 6:58 PM
Truly informative and very well written my dear Connie...love & light...^WW^
B. Avatar
August 2, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Such an amazing rondeau, Connie.. While reading I was swept away, to another time.. Ancient Greece ( Greek mythology ).. So interesting! Wonderful creativity.. Blessings..
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