Notes About The Poem

For the Musings Of Love Poetry Contest of Ink Empress

One Spring Long Ago

Long ago, there came to the garden in which I’d been planted
a stranger who admired me in the spring of my life.
Tall was he; dark and gorgeous too.
He kept visiting my garden spot while singling me out
from the other lovely blossoms surrounding me 
and who also called this large garden their home.

Sweet words he whispered through the garden fence.
His words became the susurration of the almost daily breezes
which he brought with him to caress my petaled face.
As he became less a stranger,
I longed more and more each day
to see him watching me outside the garden’s fence
which protected me from strangers,
or so I thought . . .

One day this handsome man flung open the gate to the garden.
Taking me by surprise, he strode right up to me
and stroked my blushing cheek.
Unaccustomed to unsolicited attention such as his,
I could do no more than stay posed there as always,
trembling all the way to the bottom of my stem.
Simply catching a glimpse of him 
became all that I was living for that spring.

And although my soul was bursting with poetry,
I knew my role as a fenced-in rose.
Unable to voice my thoughts to him, 
I could only bask in the warmth 
of his amazing gaze, which eventually
I noticed being cast upon other flowers too.
Toward the end of that short spring season,
my spirit began to wilt, for I knew that this man
would be passing by no longer.

Here I stand as usual in my garden space,
for always I grow back, blooming again and again.
Many springs have come and gone
as well as some of my flower friends I used to know.
Others have withered away forever.
I too will wither away when only God can say,
and the handsome man my soul once yearned for
is but a melancholy memory of unrequited love,
which more importantly, I can look back on and realize 
was not real love at all.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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May Avatar
May 17, 2024 at 5:46 AM
A story of a blushing rose and an infatuation that blossomed in spring ,then mysteriously vanished, Lovely write
Rodgers Avatar
February 22, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Dear Andrea, Your poem unfolds like a delicate dance of emotions, each word a petal in the garden of your experience. The words of longing and unrequited love captures the bittersweet essence of human connections. Your reflection on the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of relationships evokes a sense of contemplation. Through your verses, you’ve a story of resilience and self-discovery. This i a beautifully crafted piece. - Blessings, Daniel
Volumes Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 9:07 AM
I shy away from long poems, but once starting to read yours, I wished it would go on longer. A captivating story of first love, locked in memory. The way you told the story Andrea was unique and positively captivating. Such a well deserved first place.
Dietrich Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 1:13 PM
thanks, dear. It was not a first love, but one of several huge crushes I'd had in my younger days. This one just happened to be a married man and he was keeping it secret from everyone.
Mcintosh Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 6:03 AM
This is so beautiful and amazing and filled with wonder - wonderful. Love this so, dear Andrea. It's a blessing to my soul, a promise of the garden's joy, the whisper of a hope... oh, what joy your poem brings to those who love to garden, those who love the blooms that penetrate, not only the dark earth, but the dreams and the thoughts, the breathless heart,... love this so. Congrats, and God bless you and much love to you, Gina
Dietrich Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 1:14 PM
thanks so much, Gina
Empress Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 5:24 AM
Dear andrea, i felt the depth of emotions woven throughout this poetic tale, so well delivered. Brilliant personification, and so descriptive too. Unrequited love, youv expressed in such eloquence in such a unique manner. I especially love the way youv phrased your thoughts here, i think sometimes as time goes by so many look back and reminisce such moments, one that made a rose feel more fragrant than the rest , to be left, feeling like it was just a dream.congratulations on your win. Thank you
Dietrich Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 1:14 PM
thanks so much for my placement. i really enjoyed writing about this.
Hind Avatar
February 14, 2024 at 5:05 PM
Poor bloom. I hope she still can blossom again.
Baker Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Nice entry for the contest, Andrea, a lovely personification poem. A very smart flower to live so long and still value the lessons learned season to season. Smiles ~ Blessings, my dear friend. Big Hugs, Bill
Dietrich Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 11:14 PM
Thanks, Bill.
Kendrick Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Reads like a good contender for the contest to me. Way to go. Poor rose, I wonder did she quit blooming. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my pages. Sara K
Dietrich Avatar
February 20, 2024 at 1:15 PM
for real!!
Kendrick Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 8:33 AM
Andrea, I will be 79 soon and have health problems so I understand. It is hard for me to stay up on my feet because of spinal problems and also because of my heart condition. Life is not always easy. Sara
Dietrich Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 7:35 AM
This rose only feels good sitting down
Kendrick Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 3:48 AM
Life can be hard on a rose, but there is always a renewal coming. Slow down a little and enjoy each day. Sara K
Dietrich Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 1:29 PM
No she is alive and well and getting old.
Beaufort Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:21 AM
Job well done! You have described something not love, but the feelings that come over us at times. How do we get this straight? It takes experience indeed!
Dietrich Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 7:34 AM
It is weird when a really cute person hits on you and tries to wear you down. It's flattering but one has to be controlled
Schatz Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 12:31 AM
Really love this one special Andrea. Starts out so cheery. It's sweet how you describe being the favorite blossom in the garden and that he "caress your petal face." Then trembling, then helpless. then melancholy. The end of the last sentence was sadder than I expected, more sorrow than sadness... Had to look up susurration :) first stanza, and . Then, more glike how you were the special
Dietrich Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:34 AM
Nothing to be sorry for. Glad you like this. It sure was a spring to remember
Schatz Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 12:35 AM
(Sorry about the thought remnants at the end.)
Magdalinos Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 9:57 PM
Hello Andrea,this is excellent poem! Good luck in the contest.Andrea Blessings
Dietrich Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 11:25 PM
Thanks, Mulu
Sharma  Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Gosh, dear Andrea, this one was such a rollercoaster ride, when bliss of affection reached its happiest place, but it proved to be a fleeting moment, forever remaining as a wistful memory in the name of unrequited love.This write made me feel so many emotions, swirling through vulnerability and feelings.Your descriptions are absolutely stunning and breathtaking, one can actually envision the scene moving in front of the eyes.So beautifully done! Loved reading this, a FAV! Best wishes for contest
Dietrich Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 11:26 PM
Thanks so much. It is a heartfelt poem of mine so I appreciate that
Jones Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 6:42 PM
Wow this is creative and beautiful! I love the personification and your word choices kept me engaged until the end! Good luck in the contest.
Dietrich Avatar
February 10, 2024 at 11:26 PM
Thanks, Karen
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