The Winter Rose and Lilac

The Winter Rose and Lilac
by Michael R. Burch

 
after William Blake

The rose of love's bright promise
lies torn by her own thorn;
her scent was sweet
but at her feet
the pallid aphids mourn.
 

The lilac of devotion
has felt the winter hoar
and shed her dress;
companionless,
she shivers, nude and sore.
 
Published by Songs of Innocence, The Aurorean and Contemporary Rhyme. Keywords/Tags: William Blake, winter, love, sick, rose, sickness, worm, sex, bright, promise, potential, fragility, vulnerability, torn, thorn, naked, nakedness, nude, shivering, sore, scent, fragrance