On the shelf above my bed
delicate, fragile, lifeless, A rose
a bit of faded fragrance
around it now bestows.

I notice even still, thorns
along the stem that can prick
a caution by divine planning
handle carefully the rose you pick,

This rose, ere a sweet symbol to me
of a wonderful rose I knew
Who's sweet presence filled my life
and honey -- that sweet rose was you.

I harbor no ill of the spikey barbs
for they were created to protect
to hold the rose of my choosing and
carried the thorns that I could respect.

I surmise in life
some pick roses wantonly
crushing petals and casting away
caring not for what was given generously

Now this rose I hold
is from your funeral bouquet,
and brings at the looking of it
the hurt and ache that is mine today.

I won't hold or crush it
for the thorns can still quickly prick
Though your life's blood has faded now
the precious rose, I found to pick.

I shan't throw it to the wind
or crush the petals into dust
for this faded, lifeless rose
was the sweetest part of us.

The rose ere now is faded
and the bloom of it no longer shared
As you tended the garden of devotion
I too bloomed, because you cared.

When my day has come
and I shall also take my rest
take the faded rose from the shelf
lay it upon my breast.

I shall bring it home when I come
and in heaven it will bloom again
Life returns even to the lifeless
when we enter in.

Til then, dear heart
I will water it with tears of grief
I will treasure what it means
til I too can find relief

For God, by His grace, out of death
You have arose to life a new up there
the fragrance will be sweeter still
in the new garden He will prepare.

Oh sweet faded rose on the shelf
A symbol of interrupted love
as faith still feed the thorns on the stem
telling of protection from above.

The rose of my life
from the bounds of earth, you are free
Now you will bloom in such splendor
Your fragrance lingers -- if only in memory.

love
SANDY GRIFFIN
9/24/2006
Sandra is a Heavenly Inspirations Author.
http://www.our.homewithgod.com/sandra
http://storypen.com/inhimthroughhimforhimsandy
http://poetrypoem.com/inhimthroughhimforhimsandy