Flight of the Rose

Flight of the Rose Soft petals of pale pink rose, Each engraved in eulogy, Rise on the white wings of dawn, Take flight over calm waters Lapping at the line Dividing land’s end and endless sea, To shoulder tears In intervals of benediction’s breath Reflections of a full bloom – Courageous warrior and woman - In final surrender To the invading army that overwhelms A single soul in the dark calyx of fading night Rose, alone with only shallow breaths To caress her hand To prepare for her last flight. Sea scented morning Gives wings requiem To chant the sojourn’s odyssey, A solo elegy sung By one voice as the four winds Gather four seas And fleeting four seasons Into resurrection past the good fight. 6-16-22 Contest: Flight 2 Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke Based on a true story told to me by a hospice nurse friend who tended a dying woman, alone. She was so touched in grieving she went to the ocean and scattered rose petals in the woman’s memory – her final flight into Heaven’s caress.