© by Cheri Cross 1998
All Rights Reserved
page by Jilli

A FADED ROSE

Cheri Cross   aka   "Cheri"
or "Clepsydra"

As the rose hangs there
I see its beauty fade
from light life green
to dark dead jade.

Its petals lose thier pink
and I cannot mind
its gentle stink
as it passes on.

Given the chance
to do the same
he would lose colour
were it not for flame.

Take the flesh, earthly bound
and change it to ash,
in a jar to the ground
and cover with stone and name.

And above the lovers
of mankind's rose
a teary cloud hovers
never to end nor rend.

All they have are memories
and pictures filled with love
the unknowing viewer never sees
and their minds that wonder why.

But this rose I keep
from the saddest of grievers
shall forever make me weep
and help me to recall.

Should its petals dry and break
I would still keep it
and to it add the one I will take
when with him she does lie.

Forever shall I know
the beauty of this faded rose
that will never grow
but will always be love.