You came to me bearing bright roses, Red like the wine of your heart; You twisted them into a garland To set me aside from the mart. Red roses to crown me your lover, And I walked aureoled and apart. Enslaved and encircled, I bore it, Proud token of my gift to you. The petals waned paler, and shriveled, And dropped; and the thorns started through. Bitter thorns to proclaim me your lover, A diadem woven with rue. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOVEMBER STARS by SARA TEASDALE A PROPER NEW BALLAD [ENTITLED THE FAIRIES' FAREWELL] by RICHARD CORBET THE JEWISH CEMETERY AT NEWPORT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW INSPIRATION (2) by HENRY DAVID THOREAU THE FOUR SEASONS by PHILIP AYRES BALLADE OF MYSELF AND MONSIEUR RABELAIS by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954) |