The Widow Among Roses

The widow among roses,
though a scent so sweet 
she smells to near smile,
how red the vibrance of life
and soft the petals caress
her lonely cheek,
she remembers her love lost
(her left eye a tombstone glass)
and seizes not to yearn it back ---

The Blacklady among crimson;
her desert rains evermore night and day,
and still the dunes of her heart soak not with love,
the arrid wind still shoots the sand 
through her wasteland unbetrothed,
where the sun never rises,
nor never beautifully it sets 
through her tombstone eye

She walks the night dressed in white,
her wedding gown a sight for ghosts
and phantoms do fright;
they cannot haunt ---
this foot-in-the-grave-soul,
glowing white-red howling at the moon

To true midnite her feet carries her so,
where the river rushes reflecting 
forever moon glow

Where the nymph and sylph and dryad never go,
whispering and wondering ---
gazing to this lady alone,
this poor begotten thing ---
this shadow unto death,
who filled with eternal tears
(seated in some unknown place)
her nose in roses, and her mind always in the past
(grieving life) 
and mourning some faceless man


*** Inspired from a friend's mother, who at the age
of 40 --- all but gave up on life at the death of her
husband, which deeply saddened me ***
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Cozart Avatar
September 19, 2017 at 11:22 AM
This is gorgeous!
Joshua Avatar
August 9, 2017 at 11:08 AM
What a poem... Intriguing!
Cozart Avatar
June 10, 2017 at 12:12 PM
This is beautiful!
O.J. Hunt Avatar
June 10, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Many thanks Dale:-)
Yvonne Avatar
May 16, 2017 at 4:52 PM
I am joining Tim and Char. Excellent poetry. A Fav!
Vaso Avatar
May 7, 2017 at 1:28 AM
Such a beautiful poem, I am not sure if you know of a Canadian band called April Wine, but this for sure reminds one of their classic songs!!
Lamoureux Avatar
May 6, 2017 at 7:14 AM
A haunting piece. So sorry for your friend and her mother.
May Avatar
May 3, 2017 at 5:12 PM
A very moving write Keith.. Well penned
Marcum Wong Avatar
May 1, 2017 at 9:30 AM
This poem grips the heart in its sorrow Keith. It is a haunting beauty composed with such compassion. 7 ; )
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 29, 2017 at 6:06 PM
Keith this is a great poem that you wrote. A 7
O.J. Hunt Avatar
May 1, 2017 at 3:59 AM
An honor for you to say Darlene, it was one of my saddest writes, yet one of my better ones I think.God bless:-)
Lindley Avatar
April 28, 2017 at 8:48 AM
ANOTHER CLASSIC FROM YOU MY FRIEND. I saw happen in the 70's when an old man I knew lost his wife after 50+ years of marriage. I had never seen such depth of sorrow as I saw in his FACE AND HEARD IN HIS VOICE WHEN I VISITED HIM. I even told my brother that he will die soon- from epic grief and he did, in about 3 weeks.. Fantastic poem, SUPER 7 AND A FAV..
Lindley Avatar
May 2, 2017 at 9:29 AM
Yes, such is true love and the epic depths it can go to. Where life without your soulmate seems to be not worth living. Or the lure to join them becomes overwhelming and the human spirit shuts down.
O.J. Hunt Avatar
May 1, 2017 at 3:57 AM
Glad you enjoyed the venture in melancholy Robert, at least poetically, your story was pretty heart wrenching; the poor man only knew a life with his wife, the void was beyond his capacity to fill. So sad.
Andresen Avatar
April 28, 2017 at 8:13 AM
- This is a touching sad poem, Keith - I know such a story ... from several years ago ... the grief is so bottomless ... can not find life worth living - As always, a marvel written poem from you - a 7 - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
O.J. Hunt Avatar
May 1, 2017 at 3:52 AM
Thanks Anne-Lise, everyone seems to know of a sad story like this; my great tribulation was my father's death, which was really a deep rooted fear from when my mom died when I was four, but I have overcome, thankfully. Many hugs back:-)
Chircop Avatar
April 26, 2017 at 3:10 PM
So young to loose a husband...You describe her loniliness and sorrow so well..Existing and not living...Heartwrenchingly sad..but so greatly written keith..A fave.
O.J. Hunt Avatar
April 27, 2017 at 10:11 PM
Thanks Charmaine, I thought you would appreciate this sad, yet thought provoking write. God bless;-)
Smith Avatar
April 26, 2017 at 10:37 AM
Such a beautifully composed piece Keith...I could feel her...a fav
O.J. Hunt Avatar
April 26, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Thanks Tim, your visits are very much appreciated:-)
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