Scarlet Thorn

Forgive me, but I cannot stand the smell
of haggard roses, red from man's abuse;
though pleasing to the eye, the scent does tell
of love that was once fair, but now cut loose.

I wish to wallow in a grand bouquet
comprised of roses painted like the moon,
for virgin hearts are pure until they stray
from gardens seeded with their fathers' boon.

Tis true; an infant rose is white at birth,
but there are those who live to taint the bud
with careless hands, diminishing its worth
because her needles drink dishonest blood.

Fear not; I'd never yield a scarlet thorn,
for I adore the color you were born!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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King Avatar
July 12, 2009 at 8:25 AM
What a beautiful sonnet, Michael! Any woman would be so glad to be in these gentle hands! Thank you!
Riley Avatar
July 11, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Nice sonnet, good use of metophors. I like the way you compair the rose to a fallen woman. To lose her purity leaves her scorned like the scarlet letter. Nice work, interesting read. Judy Riley
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