White Angels

How many roses since have come and gone?
he thought as he sat looking at her grave.
How many futures had been staked upon
those brilliant blooms to her he often gave?

What stiff buds like hands in prayer since drawn
in oils on canvas did she seem to crave?

“White angels,” she did sing the day they wed.
Again he placed them here now she was dead,
as he'd done each year upon her birthday.

The emerald garden and granite stones
still looked untouched. The olive trees now swayed
as ever had in June. As white as bones,
statues silent, but proud as gods portrayed,
were yet his marble friends and not undone
by tears. My Angel White was she when wed,
he mused again, his feelings still unsaid.

A thousand memories like ivy spill
over the wall behind his quiet chair.

Such fervent whispers in a windless chill
go through his head of sparse and silver hair.

So many letters from an inkless quill
he wrote alone as though they'd reach her there.

A thousand roses white as angels tread
upon his dreams, keep singing in his head.

But now the car was packed, the house was sold.

Their young sons all were grown and since moved out.

He blurted forth, “My darling, now I'm old.
The boys are grown and all are strong and stout;
I know that you'll be safe within their fold.
I must move, have a life that's now about
the years that I have left. I'll always hold
those times we had as precious as though gold.”

He stood and put the chair into the car.

He cried upon the freeway for some time,
the new life in the desert still afar
from coastal past and reminiscent clime.

A new home that he'd found could be on par
with what he'd now let go. Had come the time
when he must vanquish sacred angels white.

And thus he drove into the coming night.

8/20/17
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Lindley Avatar
August 24, 2017 at 10:27 PM
This goes beyond the horizon in its beauty and power of love expressed. Depth of loss although painfully sad, yields to the reality--that life must go on! A fav... a powerful poem...
Cozart Avatar
August 25, 2017 at 7:40 AM
Thank you so much, Robert, I really appreciate your kind comments.
Robinson Jr. Avatar
August 24, 2017 at 4:29 AM
A truly magnificent poem, Dale. Grand emotional expanse ... such devotional depth. An outstanding piece of prose. A stellar Ottava rima poem, my friend. Poetic genius on display. Love and joy always.
Cozart Avatar
August 24, 2017 at 7:48 AM
Thank you so much, Freddie.
Williams Avatar
August 23, 2017 at 8:52 PM
A very good poetic heart touching story.
Cozart Avatar
August 24, 2017 at 7:48 AM
Thank you, Ronald.
Ashley Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 8:27 PM
Hi Dale, this is so deep and beautiful a write. This man is so lovingly sentimental and still in love. You tell this story in such a heartfelt expression. I love the line 'A thousand memories like ivy spill over the fence behind his quiet chair.' Wow such an emotional line of reminiscence... though each and every line is an emotional beauty.
Ashley Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 8:41 PM
Thank you Dale, it was a thrilling moment.., actually I'm still thrilled!! Thank you for liking my entry :)
Cozart Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 8:31 PM
Thank you so much, Susan. And congrats again on your contest win!
Rodrigues Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 7:33 PM
A lovely write!
Cozart Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 8:03 PM
Thank you so much, Kim.
Pandit Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 7:12 PM
WOW! Love the story--so well depicted and highly sentimental--full of emotions!!
Cozart Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 8:03 PM
Thank you, Vijay.
Wanter Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 6:54 PM
Such beautiful writing!
Cozart Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 6:56 PM
Thanks you so very much, Sun.
Sands Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Dale this poem really reached me re: someone I lost. I must save it as a favorite because I can relate to parts of it deeply. It is really well written and felt by the reader! Excellent!
Cozart Avatar
August 20, 2017 at 6:37 PM
Thanks so much, Heidi.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace