The Rose

Lay down the spoon and still the hand that shakes
the smell of cooking mixed with that of fear
eyes reddened, wide, haunted expression make
await a fury fuelled by drugs and beer.
Self worth crushed long ago by vicious tongue
of loving parent's warning took no heed
her bruises say they were right all along
in symphony with her both their hearts bleed.
On garden bench she sat and sought recess
bent forward, hands clenched, pinned between her knees
fighting to quell the tightness in her chest
belaboured  heart rate slowed, she drank the breeze.
Before her, nodding back in sympathy
once cuttings, propagated  in their bed
now standing proud amidst the greenery
a solitary bloom in vivid red.
Years past they graced the altar, happy day
the ceremony over, left in peace
one rose remains from times when love held sway
companion for her in rare times of peace
Plucked ,she held the stem and asked the flower
'through which door and how long 'till real love comes?
Pray, am I  to languish in his power?'
the answer in the red bead on her thumb.
Conclusion come to and no need to speak
With fingertips she brushes back her mane
resting the scented blossom on her cheek
Unwary petal catches salty rain.


Viv Wigley
24th October 2015
For 'any sad poem' contest, sponsor- Broken Wings.
originally submitted mistakenly as a Sonnet, and have not changed form description to remind me to be more careful in future, for reference.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Lindley Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 5:25 PM
Awesomely written sad poem my friend! Congrats on your win
Wigley Avatar
November 4, 2015 at 12:02 AM
Thanks, Robert, I always appreciate your input. Regards to you and yours, Viv
Haight Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 3:40 PM
Viv, congratulations on your fine win for your sad but beautiful poem. Sandra
Wigley Avatar
November 4, 2015 at 12:02 AM
Thanks Sandra, I'll have to have a bout of happy for a while, I think. Viv x
A  Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Viv, Congratulations on your Any Sad Poem win. LOVE **SKAT**
Wigley Avatar
November 4, 2015 at 12:03 AM
Thanks Skat, lovely to hear from you, Viv x
Lane Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 6:22 AM
"she drank the breeze'" Beautiful, Viv.
Wigley Avatar
November 4, 2015 at 12:03 AM
Glad you liked it, Lin, many thanks. Viv x
A. Sharma Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 1:48 AM
Congrats on ur superb win Viv with this amazing write!
Wigley Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 2:00 AM
Thanks, Dr Upma, very kind of you. Viv x
Carmack Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 1:42 AM
This is nice work Viv. Congrats.
Wigley Avatar
November 3, 2015 at 2:00 AM
Thanks Rob, I'm quite proud of it, even if I misjudged it's form. hey, ho..... Regards, Viv
Inman Avatar
October 30, 2015 at 12:31 PM
Regardless of form, this is a beautiful sad write. Smooth eloquent read.
Wigley Avatar
October 30, 2015 at 8:48 PM
Thanks James, as I mentioned previously I thought of the last line first, then wrote the rest backwards. Isn't poetry bizarre sometimes? Regards, Viv
Petersen Potter Avatar
October 27, 2015 at 8:38 PM
Beautiful pen Viv! I enjoyed reading your sonnet.Very nice pic too!A 7!Wishing you a very lovely week!In his light God bless you!:)D.
Wigley Avatar
October 27, 2015 at 9:06 PM
Thanks, Dorian, very kind. Blessings, Viv x
Lindley Avatar
October 27, 2015 at 8:05 AM
Fantastic verses my friend. As to sonnets, currently many just go with the basics in sonnets, not adhering to the strictest form. Some do not even rhyme(!) but thats not me. I myself adhere to basic 14 verses, rhyme 10 syllables sometimes and closing two verses as a conclusion. As poets were are not to be slaves to form, at least thats my take on it. Read Emily Dickinson to see how not slaving to strict form(her best poems) made her legendary. A7
Wigley Avatar
October 27, 2015 at 8:31 AM
Thanks, Robert, I'm working my way through your works, and yes, I notice that you finish off with notes on form, which is useful. I'm going to try and stick to form, simply for the discipline, it makes me think harder. Useful advice, Robert, many thanks. Viv
Lindley Avatar
October 27, 2015 at 8:07 AM
By the way, Emily Dickinson is by far the best Female poetess ever.. nobody else even comes close to her IMHO.
Laurie Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 7:14 PM
Hello Viv... sad, yet beautiful - thank you Viv - Lindsay
Wigley Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 11:04 PM
Thanks Lindsay, that's my dose of sad for the week out of the way. Regards, Viv
Kendrick Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 6:29 PM
Expressive and emotive contest entry..Reads like winning material to me..I enjoyed reading this one today..Thanks for the visit to my page..I appreciate the time spent there..I am to have eye surgery tomorrow..I am not suppose to use my eye for 24 hours after the surgery and then the next day I h ave to go back to see the surgeon..So I will be away for at least two days..I won't know until the surgery how fast I will recover..Sara
Wigley Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 11:05 PM
Wishing you a speedy, successful recovery, Sara- will slot a prayer for you in with the man upstairs. Take care. Love, Viv x
Shahein Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 3:08 PM
Magnificent poem my friend great sonnet, I love sad poetry cause it's true and flawless I can enjoy it with all of my heart and that's how I felt with ur poem , touchy.....great one I salute you... Hugs :D
Wigley Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 11:06 PM
Thanks, Dalia, very kind. Nice of you to drop by. Viv x
La France Avatar
October 25, 2015 at 2:46 AM
Viv, beautiful sonnets that tell a sad story, well done 7 and thanks for visiting my poem, butterfly and dragon ~
Wigley Avatar
October 25, 2015 at 3:19 AM
Thanks, BW, and yours deserved it's high ranking. Viv x
Horsman Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 5:39 PM
two sonnet, and to be truthful one of the best i've read in a long time, classic poetry i believe, Viv
Wigley Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 10:24 PM
Thanks,Harry, didn't stick to form, though- came up with the last line and wrote it backwards, and it sort of turned into a runaway train... I suppose I could edit it and change form to 'rhyme', but I'm going to hold my hands up and sit on the naughty step, otherwise I won't have learned anything. Glad you enjoyed it though..... Regards, Viv
Dietrich Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 8:13 AM
Viv, your meter is pretty good! Your rhyme scheme is great (though maybe your pronunciation of words like along and tongue are different to your ear than to mine). all in all, this is a well written poem. It has the elements of sonnet (syllable count, etc) but it should only be 14 lines, and the last 2 lines should be a rhyming couplet! As it stands right now, i'ts a rhyming poem in quatrain form. I just know you have it in you now to write a pure sonnet!!
Wigley Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 8:46 AM
Thanks , Andrea, I'm padling in shallow waters with sharp pebbles at the moment, but appreciate somebody holding my hand on this one. I've sent a flare out to Craig, since he thought I should have a crack at a sonnet, so between the two of you I may come up with something decent. All donations gratefully received. Feel free to place something into the mix. Love 'n hugs, Viv x
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