Invitation
The announcement of their special day came today
But I just looked at it briefly and turned away
Hearing of their wedding day brought sadness, dismay
An invitation for me? I didn’t know what to say
Stinging sadness in my heart I could not convey
I gazed out at the landscape and let my mind stray
Just months ago he gave me a colorful bouquet
Frail roses of red I proudly put on display
But he quickly plucked two and put them in my hair
Pledging his undying love with romantic flare
The pure ecstasy I felt was beyond compare
Each day since, I cut two more from the garden to wear
Then suddenly he went away; I knew not where
Tapestry on my dress now holds tear stains of despair
How cruel this message seemed, how terribly unfair
Knowing the life I had longed for, we will never share
Other scrolls remain unopened, I’ve no desire to read
As with restless hands, strings of a lyre I knead
The blossom of our love has transformed to a weed
To open my heart again, I feel no need
The pain that lingers won’t allow me to proceed
Leaning against the column, I’m forced to concede
This is one scroll I’ll remember and reread
Though for the answers I seek, I vow not to plead
*Written July 31, 2014 and inspired by Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s
painting “Poetry.”
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