Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ROSE AND THE ROOT by JOHN JAMES PIATT

First Line: THE ROSE ALOFT IN SUNNY AIR
Last Line: "A HIDDEN MINER UNDERFOOT: I KNOW A ROSE IS OVERHEAD."

A FABLE OF TWO LIVES

THE Rose aloft in sunny air,
Beloved alike by bird and bee,
Takes for the dark Root little care
That toils below it ceaselessly.
I put my question to the flower: "Pride of the Summer, garden queen,
Why livest thou thy little hour?"
And the Rose answered, "I am seen."

I put my question to the Root.
"I mine the earth content," it said,
"A hidden miner underfoot: I know a Rose is overhead."



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