A Single Rose

He gave to her a single rose

when they were in their teens.

He said he'd give her many more

if he just had the means.

But money in those days was scarce;

with one she was content,

and though her heart was very young,

she knew what that rose meant.

When they grew up and finished school

and he went off to war,

he gave to her a single rose;

she knew what it was for.

She kissed him on the day he left, said,

"I will wait for you,"

and all the years that he was gone

her love for him stayed true.

The war was done and he came home;

he knelt down to propose.

She saw the love deep in his eyes,

and in his hand a rose.

They soon were wed and later on

began a family,

and times were tough but they held on,

together, he and she.

On special days he always found

the means to buy a rose,

and she was more than happy

with the flower that he chose.

Then times got good and he could buy

a dozen buds and more,

but only one he still would give,

just like he'd done before.

For fifty years she kept them all,

with care pressed in a book.

Sometimes she liked to reminisce

and turn the page and look.

She knew between each yellowed page

was more than roses pressed,

and she was thankful for the man

with whom she had been blessed.

Beside her casket, crying tears,

his grief too much to bear,

he laid a rose upon her breast

with tender loving care.

"One final rose," he softly said,

"with love I give to you,

symbolic of my very heart

which travels with you too."

All poetry written by Ruth Gillis is copyrighted and may not be used in any way without express written permission from the author herself, whether it is found on this site or any other. If you would like to use her poetry for any purpose, please email her for permission. Contact Ruth by E-mail ... ruthgill@worldnet.att.net

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Song Title: In Moments Like These