Forever Roses (revised)

red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose,
and every year her lover sent them tied with pretty bows;
the year he died, the roses were delivered to her door,
the card said, "Our anniversaries are all I'm longing for..."


she took them in and placed them in a very special vase,
and set the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face;
she thought he paid these roses in advance before this day,
her thoughtful lover did not know that he would pass away.


she knew he always planned ahead and way before the time,
then if he got too busy, everything will work out fine,
she thinks, of all the roses the most special is this year,
for this would be the LAST TIME that the roses would appear.


A YEAR WENT BY, and it was hard to live without her mate
with loneliness and solitude that had become her fate;
BUT then, on the very day, just like last year on this date,
the doorbell rang, and there were roses right beside her steps.


the roses were just like the same, and it made her in shock;
she stared at it, then took the phone and called the florist's shop,
the florist answered, and she asked him, if he could explain
why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain?"


I know your love had passed away, more than a year ago,
"I'm sorry," the florist said, "but there's not much I can do,
the flowers you received today were paid for in advance,
your lover always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."


"and every month before this date, he always come in here,
he paid so much for these roses, you'll get them every year;
and every time he comes to me he said that he loved you,
that you're the only one for him, 'til death divide you two..."


"and there's also another thing, that I think you should know:
one day he brought a card and made a special little note,
and told me once he failed to come, it meant that HE WAS GONE;
then that's the card that I should send for the next year to come"


she thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard,
she took the roses, looked at it, and then she found the card;
inside the card she saw that he had written her a note,
with trembling hands she read the note and this is what he wrote:

"HELLO, my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I love you more than words can say, you are the perfect one;
I knew it's unfair, but I've wished to be the first to die
for I could not imagine living without you by my side"


"and if that time really comes, think of all the happiness
that we have shared together, on those times that we were blessed;
and let not sadness bring you down; we should be thankful for
that we have met once in our lives and loved each other more"


"my love for you have always grown with each and passing year
I'll miss your smiles and all your warmth, I wished that I was near;
I want you to be happy even when you shed your tears,
that is why the roses will be sent to you for years"


"the flowers will only stop once the florist stops to knock,
if your door's not been answered, then he'll knew without a doubt;
to take the roses to THE PLACE where I've instructed him,
and place the roses where we are, TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN..."




*originally submitted for and published at emanilapoetry.com, 06.09.06