Queen of Hearts

How long ago were those sun painted days we spent

Backs pressed against the long grass

Gazing up at the hanging red roses,

Singing to us of their flowery ways?

 

You would cut one down for me

And she wouldn't mind her measured death,

For she knew you felt naught but love.

Her thorns retracted in peaceful acceptance.

 

Then came that dark war,

Spiriting you away like some evil specter

Or those jealous will-o'-the-wisps

Leading you on to promised demise.

 

The day they told me was the day he swept in

All blundering and nervous in his regal garb.

He handed me that rose of wedding white

Promise of a good life ringing from his lips.

 

I took no pause in accepting my fate

And as he bid me adieu I grasped that angry bud.

Sharp thorns dug into my skin in vengeance

As blood seeped down its browning stem.

 

But I did not cry, no my sanity died with you,

So I threw my head towards the sky and laughed,

Smearing blood against the brilliant white petals…

Because I always preferred my roses painted red.

Author's Note

Comments? Suggestions?

Reviews

[Nusquam Esse]

What really makes this poem work so well is that final stanza, it brings it all together and leaves a haunting image which the rest of the poem would be nothing without. Love the way you combined the imagery and metaphors of roses and their colours and thorns, with the blood which interacts with them both. Again, a superb ending on this one.

[Ashira Macy]

Thank you Esse, I am glad you felt the ending was so powerful. It is important to end with a bang every once and a while. =)

[Terpsichore]

Petals and thorns, virgin white to blood red, the juxtaposition is clear and very well drawn. A broken leg is easy, lost loves and broken hearts so much more difficult.

T

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks so much for your words.

[Briana O'Connor]

Now this is one sinister, sick and splendid piece. The ere of crazy is all around this one. Love the insanity, the carelessness. This is just up my sick and twisted alley. Very descriptive and really drew me in. Well penned.

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks so much! I do enjoy the sick and twisted!

[Beccy]

These are powerful and emotional lines. The turn as the dark war descended and harsh reality intruded is handled brilliantly, and the closing stanzas are so very good.

I really, truly, admire this poem.

Beccy.

[Ashira Macy]

Thank you very much Beccy!

[Rita L. Sev]

Truly amazing images in this piece, Ashira. The harsh heartache is palpable, but your words show steely resolve.

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks so much Rita!

[RAOrourke]

I like the way this poem flows and the tale it tells, I love the beginning so innocent and lovely and to the end your choice to make her bold in her decision even though it makes her lose so much. very nicely done

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks so much for reading this one my friend, it was a joy to write.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the white rose of love bleeding with passion...I really like how you have personified the rose in this...giving its feelings and its allowances.

jacob

[Ashira Macy]

Thank so much Jacob, I am happy you liked it.

[kublakhan27]

Your words certainly sing to me in flowery ways my friend, even when the flowers are smeared in blood...actually, more so in that case...I'm quite speechless in the wake of this one...it has everything a great poem should have, with emotional impact being at the top of that list...the first word that came to my mind as this one was sinking in was 'Ophelian'...beyond that, I can only sigh and revel in the devastating madness of this piece, and how you presented it with such a well-crafted meticulousness...awesome :)

[Ashira Macy]

Wow, thank you so much for your glowing review Steve. I honestly had no idea this poem would go over so well. I wrote it after being inspired by a photo and it just sort of gushed out. Thank you again, I am so happy you liked this one so much.

[kublakhan27]

Haha You never know when you have a hit until you put it out there ;) Always a pleasure Ashira.

[Wórdsmíth]

The warmth of love`s been dispersing in your words which`re well covered with an ink of blood. Nice imagery.

[Ashira Macy]

Thank you Wordsmith, I am glad this called out to you.

[Eve Ola]

you wrote amazing lines here. I am loving it...
He handed me that rose of wedding white
Promise of a good life ringing from his lips.
But I did not cry, no my sanity died with you,
So I threw my head towards the sky and laughed,... Amazing

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks so much Eve, glad you liked it.

[GA]

I enjoyed it i like red roses.yes shouldn't cry

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks Reena.