life of a rose

Welcome

Some time back, a friend gave me a single rose grown in her garden. I was told to watch it, and record the thoughts I received from it for three consecutive days. The story that follow is the result of that exercise...

Day One

This evening I received my future. I was given explicit instructions: no one but myself could touch it, tho others could smell; I was to keep it well nourished, talk to it, keep it happy, and keep a day-by-day account of all that happens...

My future is as that of a Rose.
It is soft, delicate, beautiful.
But it contains thorns.
Shall I remain on the tenderness
of the petals or take my
chances on the stem?
Just as the petals are upward
and the thorns downward,
so are Heaven and hell.
I shall have many decisions
to make in my future,
and time is flying by.

Day Two

My future is in full bloom. These are the happy years. The carefree times when love surrounds me and I am serene. I am well aware of the fact that soon I will become old and gray, the lovely locks of my hair will change color. Yes, just as a rose, the time is nearing in which my petals of youth will be no more. This saddens my heart. Yet, what is life?

Life.
To be born, to sprout up,
to grow, to be beautiful
to darken with age,
to Die.
I am a rose.
Heavenly sunshine,
Painful can be the thorns.
Those around me complete
the garden.
I shall live.
I shall die.
I shall live again.
Eternally.

Day Three

I look back on my days of beauty and youth with a feeling of sadness and lonliness. Was that person really me? All lovely, fresh and dew-kissed? For today I find myself bloomed out too far for beauty, and gray around the edges. Oh, if only I had enjoyed my youth with gaiety and laughter. But no, I have aged far too fast. I spent my younger days worrying about what the future held in store for me. I shall now enjoy what is left of me before I completely fade away...

Oh, tender rose.
How thou art beautiful.
Thy petals show the
serenity of confidence.
If only I could share
thy beauty and serenity.
Yet, inner beauty is serenity,
and we all must strive
for this beauty.
Oh Joy, that I may achieve
this goal.
Yes, I shall live the life of
the Rose...