The Roses Red



The roses red, bloom and grow
Mid soil and earth down below
Whose roots cling tight to Mother Earth
Yet mourners know the flower’s worth
 
Mournful glances and tear-stained eyes
Plagued by death—that great divide!
While rent and twain thy robe in grief
To mark a separation, however brief
 
The darkened clouds and shadows veil
We ponder oft of heaven and hell
A tender flower that bears our grief
Whose stem and pedal bring relief
 
A regal beauty that bears our pain
And drapes the casket, flow’r, and spray
Beset by thorns that pierce and bleed
Yet offering comfort in times of need
 
A field afar from where we are
In rows aligned, both near and far
To lift us up, they bloom and grow
Mid soil and earth down below
Whose roots cling tight to Mother Earth
Yet roses know the mourner’s worth
 
©2020 Brian Duffin
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Submitted by brian.duffin on May 30, 2021

Modified by brian.duffin on March 24, 2023

44 sec read
248

Quick analysis:

Scheme aABb xxcc xxcc xxdd eeaABb x
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 796
Words 147
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1

Brian Duffin

After taking an English class with a focus on literature and poetry, Brian Duffin discovered a love for words and a passion for poetry. Brian's poems reflect his love of nature, while also sharing the raw human emotions and events that fill and shape his life. more…

All Brian Duffin poems | Brian Duffin Books

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Discuss the poem The Roses Red with the community...

5 Comments
  • AIDA
    This poem is truly beautiful and touching. The imagery of the roses growing from the earth below, and their role in offering comfort during times of grief is so poignant. The way the poem explores mourning and loss is heartfelt and moving, and the final lines of the poem really capture the power of nature to heal and lift us up.

    If I were to offer any suggestions for improvement, it would be to perhaps play with the meter and rhythm of the verses a bit more. While the poem flows nicely, there are several places where it feels like a more varied rhythm could add even more emotional impact.

    Overall, though, this is a lovely piece of poetry that really captures the beauty and power of nature, and its ability to help us heal during times of pain and sadness. Wonderful work!
     
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • teril
    A rose is a perfect metaphor and exists exquisitely in our physical world. You have captured it such in your imagery.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • ManfredFallonstone
    Loved it! Brilliant imagery in the tumbling of your words
    LikeReply1 year ago
    • brian.duffin
      Tumbling words--love that description! Appreciate your comments.
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • Soulwriter
    Very moving and real. Thank you for sharing!
    LikeReply1 year ago
    • brian.duffin
      thank you for your kind words.
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Dougla$Irishman
    You have aptly described the queen of all flowers - the Rose, there is no competition ! A Rose is a Rose is a Rose !
    LikeReply1 year ago
    • brian.duffin
      I've written several poems about roses. This one feels far more meaningful to me. Sadly, death and roses are forever and inextricably intertwined.
      LikeReply 11 year ago

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"The Roses Red" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/101304/the-roses-red>.

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The repetition of similar sounds at the ends of words or within words is known as _______.
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