AS through earth's garden once I strayed I saw a rose tree fair -- And from it plucked an opening bud, In all its beauty rare. I gazed deep in its heart of hearts -- It blushed beneath my eye; While its faint fragrance seemed to breathe, A gentle, unheard sigh. 'Twas mine alone! I cherished it -- My frail and lovely flower! Until another bud I found, More beauteous, in an hour. Then with relentless hand I broke The floweret's fragile stem: I spoiled the gem that would have graced A monarch's diadem! But stern remorse soon touched my heart, -- Back to the spot I rushed. Alas! too late; my flower was there, But its poor heart was crushed! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KEEPING UP WITH THE SIGNS by MADELINE DEFREES MY DEATH AS A GIRL I KNEW by JAMES GALVIN MY BOY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TUNK (A LECTURE ON MODERN EDUCATION) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |