I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

30 March 2013

Roses from Ondine

When Ondine gave me roses in the street,
she found me loading shopping in my car
and said my name. I looked up, and a star
was shining in her smile, that we should meet

so unexpectedly. I went to greet
(the usual hug) and then she said, 'Aha!
So now I know — it's you these flowers are for,
that I was just presented with.' How sweet —

she'd wandered in to see the flower show
and some strange man had thrust them in her hand,
these fully blooming roses, palest pink.

She felt they were for someone else, and lo!
her widowed friend (that's me, you understand).
I sink my face in scent and colour; drink.












A Miltonian sonnet submitted for dVerse Form For All #28

 On 6 June 2016 submitted for Prompt Nights: Roses
By -
Labels: , , ,

28 comments:

  1. Unknown30 March 2013 at 11:50

    A wonderful story told so well.

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  2. Kathy Reed30 March 2013 at 12:15

    Beautifully written sonnet..gorgeous pink roses..happy Easter..

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  3. marousia30 March 2013 at 12:34

    What a beautiful act of kindness ... this sonnet is so delicate like its subject

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade30 March 2013 at 20:52

      As you see, her act of kindness touched my heart. :)

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  4. Brian Miller30 March 2013 at 13:01

    awww...i love your friends heart...attuned tot he fact they may not be for her...and thinking of you...that made me smile big...cool use of the form rosemary...

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  5. Semaphore30 March 2013 at 13:07

    Oh, you have just come in, just like that, and wrung my heart. What a wonderful story, just a tinge of sadness but surrounded by the halo of a love remembered, and so artfully wrought that you hardly feel the sonnet around it. This is beautiful, beautiful and yet again beautiful.

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  6. TCPC30 March 2013 at 13:12

    life is wonderful with such lovely people around who count others too when blessed! :) loved it!!

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  7. Sabio Lantz30 March 2013 at 17:04

    Wow, you don't get a better story than that -- compassion and warmth untainted desperate lovers. So refreshing. Great photo -- a fine Milton memory.

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  8. Gemma Wiseman30 March 2013 at 17:23

    So love the idea of drinking in the scent and colour of these roses! What a sweet gesture! Your sonnet is like a love song for the soul!

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  9. Claudia30 March 2013 at 17:29

    oh wow this is really lovely...what unexpected joy.. and what a cool story with the man giving them to her and she knows they're for someone else...really cool..enjoy them, they're beautiful..smiles

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  10. Rosemary Nissen-Wade30 March 2013 at 21:23

    Thank you to everyone for your comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed this.

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  11. Unknown2 April 2013 at 06:13

    "And I say to myself, 'What a wonderful world!'"
    These moments prove the point!
    http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/04/01/it-begins/

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  12. Sanaa Rizvi6 June 2016 at 08:13

    Sigh, this is such an inspirational form Rosemary and I am so honored that you chose to share this poem with us :D Especially adore the reference to" I sink my face in scent and colour; drink." Beautifully penned. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  13. Victoria6 June 2016 at 08:59

    This has me smiling. Lovely use of the form and just a happy act of kindness.

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  14. Debi Swim6 June 2016 at 11:37

    That this is true is icing on the cake. Just makes me so happy to read it.

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  15. Magaly Guerrero6 June 2016 at 12:16

    Miracles have a way of finding their way into the hands and hearts they are meant for.

    Love this so much, the merriment most of all. :-)

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  16. Sumana Roy6 June 2016 at 14:59

    the act of kindness is like the rose...beautiful,tender and fragrant..love that last line....

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  17. Jae Rose6 June 2016 at 20:43

    I wonder if the water and drink was in the rose or the giving of the rose - maybe both - it is good to know that goddesses and stars are waiting for us in supermarket carparks..i always suspected as much

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  18. Ellecee7 June 2016 at 11:08

    A special story, such a beautiful gesture, passed on, and I could feel the appreciation and a little awe ,,, :-)

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  19. ghostmmnc8 June 2016 at 02:54

    I love how you've presented this surprise act of kindness. Those pink roses are beautiful!

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  20. Rommy8 June 2016 at 04:34

    I love sweet stories about paying things forward. <3

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  21. Old Egg8 June 2016 at 16:21

    This is really beautiful Rosemary.

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  22. Gina9 June 2016 at 01:30

    How sweet indeed.....the scent of a rose more encompassing than any hug :D XXX

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