A Yellow Rose

I walked up to the garden gate and peered into the fold,

Of calendulas, daffodils, and sunny marigolds.

I gently pushed the bar aside and tiptoed in to see

If artemesias, phlox and such would come and play with me.

I spied a yellow rose in bloom, and fragrant with perfume,

She opened full, her petals trailed, her bridal veil in June.

As I passed by I heard a voice and turned to hear her say,

"Please set me free from this hard ground, I'll dance with you today.

"If you'll but stand upon your head and whistle for a while,

"You'll bring to earth the flower queen of yonder fairy isle.

"For it's fairies that will set me free of earthly roots," she told,

"That I might whirl and fly and sing the airy songs of old."

She sounded so convincing that I rolled head first a mound,

And did my best to whistle, as to set her off the ground.

Imagine my surprise then, when as soon as I was done,

I saw my hands as rootlets turned and to the earth was flung.

No dance or song I heard nor saw, but ploy so shrewd and bold,

To coyly trap my heart and free herself from earth so cold.

Now I have naught but hope that one yet more a fool than I,

Will one day walk to garden gate and peer at roses nigh.

Faerie Sojourner

©2002