One Dawn.

• Samantha Turner-Thompson, Grade 11
• Poetry
• 2010

Golden sunlight on a rose’s leaf
One dawn, caused me to spy and reach
Towards the flower, fresh and new,
Ignorant of thorns beneath.

On my finger, like the dew,
Welled a glorious crimson hue,
Just like the blossom I grabbed in greed,
Enamoured by a gift so few.

As I glanced down at the scarlet bead
Caught my eye did a gnarled, aged weed
That lurked, quite hidden, dull and plain,
Withered and empty after going to seed.

And perhaps, I thought, there was more to gain,
Other than popularity, beauty and fame,
For it seemed that this treasure causes nothing but pain…

And roses never get to grow old.