A garden's tragedy

• Maureen Dillon, Grade 10
• Poetry
• 2003

With sun-browned face upturned to drink the heat,
Surrounded by a mane of rich, pure gold,
A king ore others rises tall and bold.
A lowly bow belles blue, laced fine and neat.
All other humble servants downward lean.
Those with two lips their master’s feet do kiss.
And in his presence pure white stars feel bliss,
But what king wants more than a worthy queen?
Alone in terracotta does she sleep.
To hers no other’s beauty can compare.
For love leave home? No she would never dare.
Her roots within that place, they grow too deep.
And so this flow’ring sun king’s left to close,
And live his life without his precious rose.