My Sweet Juliet Rose

for my ever so intelligent, beautiful granddaughter, Juliette Waking in the garden, she was the lone bloomer out today- Peeking from behind her petals, she saw a few faint sunshine rays- Soaking in their goodness, but wanting company- She sang a melancholy song, sweet with melody- Her delicate face smiled, when she thought she heard a lark- But it splashed around the birdbath, then flew off to a near-by park- “Sweet Juliet” was strong in nature- all roses knew that true- But standing alone in the garden, was beginning to make her blue- The garden entry was opening, she could hear the creaking gate, And saw the ‘ole time gardener, give his head a shake, “Well, pretty little lady,” he said right into her face, “Bet you’re kind of lonely here, inside this rose bed place“ Spring was making its entry, very late into the year, And “Sweet Juliet,” was finding it, very hard to quell her fear- She knew she’d be tended well, by those hired to give her care- But usually by this time of year, there’d be flowers everywhere- This quaint little English garden, did not like the winter cold, And “Sweet Juliet” was wondering, how much longer her stem would hold- Then for a moment she was startled, when upon the ground she saw- Cornu aspersum - a garden snail, looking at her in awe- Her beauty could not be denied, with cupped rosette form of old- A popular choice for brides to be, a “Sweet Juliet” bouquet to hold- Of 15,000 cultivated varieties, She’s referred to as the £3 million rose, After high costs and 14 years of breeding, She debuted in 2006 flower shows- She is the royalty of many gardens- with her peachy-apricot hued blooms- And not to go unappreciated, is the scent of her tea-rose perfume- Well protected through the winter, with burlap enclosures ‘round her rows- She’s safe in inclement weather, and out of reach from cold winds that blow- It took four weeks for the chill to go, and the clouds to float away- “Sweet Juliet” awoke to a buzzing sound, and knew that spring was here to stay- She glanced at the roses around her, and smiled because she wasn’t alone- For nothing gave her greater joy, Then having friends to share her home-