The Screaming Rose

"The Screaming Rose" captures a unique perspective on the emotional journey of a rose, personifying it as a sentient being.

I’d never heard a rose    

          scream      
then again
          one never spoke
to me
         She’d lost her petals
         of her Spring by when
         her season changed
         where is my love!
B e y o n d
         the valley-sorrow awash
         over hills o’blue!
         is when I heard
         a rose scream
all her red upon the ground
within blood and thorns
        cried wilted stem
        screaming, “woe is me!”

:: 03-16-2015 ::

Author's Note

The poet opens with a striking assertion that they had never heard a rose scream before, implying that this experience is extraordinary and unfamiliar. It suggests a sense of attunement to the subtle expressions of nature, elevating the poet's perception beyond the ordinary.

The line breaks and spacing in the poem play a significant role in emphasizing certain words and phrases, creating a visual representation of the rose's distress. The intentional fragmentation and elongation of words, as seen in "scream" and "b e y o n d," create a sense of unease and disruption. This technique draws attention to the emotional intensity of the rose's suffering and the poet's attempt to capture its essence in language.

The poem explores the transformative journey of the rose from its vibrant, blooming state to a state of loss and despair. The loss of petals symbolizes the passing of spring, a metaphor for lost opportunities, faded beauty, and the ephemeral nature of life. The phrase "where is my love!" echoes the rose's longing for affection and recognition, emphasizing its vulnerability and desire for connection.

The poet introduces the concept of "valley-sorrow awash over hills o'blue," suggesting a broader emotional landscape beyond the immediate surroundings of the rose. This evocative imagery paints a picture of a world saturated with sadness and despair, amplifying the intensity of the rose's anguish.

The turning point of the poem occurs when the poet hears the rose scream. This moment is powerful and jarring, as the rose's suffering is given a voice. The vivid depiction of "all her red upon the ground within blood and thorns" evokes a profound sense of loss and pain. The imagery suggests a visceral and tragic scene, where the rose's life force is drained, leaving only remnants of beauty tainted by suffering.

The poem concludes with the wilted stem's lamentation, expressing its sorrow with the words "woe is me!" This final outcry encapsulates the rose's anguish and emphasizes its desperate plea for understanding and compassion.

"The Screaming Rose" delves into the depths of human emotion through the lens of nature. It invites reflection on themes of loss, vulnerability, and the transient nature of beauty. The poet skillfully captures the essence of the rose's suffering, using vivid imagery and carefully crafted language to evoke strong emotions in the reader. Overall, the poem exemplifies the poet laureate's ability to elevate ordinary experiences and delve into the profound aspects of existence.

Reviews

[DIVYA]

You have chosen such a brilliant metaphor to paint a picture of shock and sorrow at the loss of beauty. Indeed, what could be more devastating to the rose than the loss of its beautiful, red petals? I have seen roses with their petals strewn and it disturbs the soul, saddening a part of us at a deeper level. This poem would especially be very relatable to women for whom aging and the fading of youth is a traumatic experience. I could literally hear their screams in your words. I wish life wasn't so cruel but it sadly is. Kudos on this masterpiece! I loved it.

[E.P. Robles]

Dear esteemed DIVYA,

Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude for your kind and perceptive review of my poem.

It warms my poet's soul to know that the emotions I sought to evoke through my words have resonated with you so deeply. Your understanding of the underlying metaphor and its depiction of shock and sorrow truly highlights your appreciation for the intricacies of poetic expression.

Indeed, the image of a rose bereft of its vibrant, crimson petals encapsulates the profound loss of beauty, leaving behind a void that disturbs and saddens us at the very core. Your recognition of the emotional impact this metaphor carries reaffirms my belief in the power of poetry to touch the hearts of its readers.

Moreover, your insightful observation regarding the relatability of this poem to women and their experiences of aging and the fading of youth is commendable. It is through the prism of empathy that poetry becomes a vessel for shared human experiences, transcending boundaries and echoing the voices of countless souls. If my words have resonated with women and offered solace amidst the struggles of time's passage, then my purpose as a poet is fulfilled.

Your mention of the screams that could be heard within my words speaks to the visceral and raw nature of the emotions I sought to convey. It is my sincerest hope that through this artistic representation of pain and vulnerability, we find a collective catharsis, understanding, and support for those enduring life's trials.

Once again, I express my deepest gratitude for your generous appraisal of my poem. Your encouragement fuels my creative spirit and inspires me to continue my pursuit of crafting verses that touch the depths of the human experience. May the beauty of words forever intertwine with the tapestry of your own journey.

With profound appreciation,

EPRobles

[DIVYA]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your very inspiring poetry.

[Coyote Poetry]

A powerful flow of thoughts and words. I have roses in my garden. Many colors. A rose bloom for a short time and she is so beautiful. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

I saw a red rose once where there was a blood stain on a pavement. I screamed silently for it. On reflection I should have paid more attention. Visually stunning.

Chris

[E.P. Robles]

I will add to your review and not record it anywhere:
I saw a red rose once where there was a blood stain on a pavement,
A sight so stark, it stirred a longing I couldn't contain.
Its petals, delicate and vibrant, stood in stark contrast,
To the darkened stain that tainted the ground with a haunting past.

I screamed silently for it, my voice trapped in silent cries,
Aching for the beauty marred by the stain before my eyes.
But now, with hindsight's clarity, I ponder my regret,
Realizing I should have seen beyond what I first met.

That red rose, a symbol of love and passion untamed,
Bore witness to a tragedy, a story yet unnamed.
In its crimson hue, it whispered of a tale untold,
Of love lost, hearts broken, and a wound that wouldn't fold.

[Chris Shaw]

How incredibly moving, I found this poem to be. You certainly released some emotion in your stanzas. I like this very much. So much so, I will keep this with my favourites. Thank you for turning my short review into something so memorable.

Chris

[E.P. Robles]

I spend more time providing an analysis of my poems than I do writing them. IT tasks me greatly but I do not want to be a poet misunderstood. Not many great poets ever gave underlying understanding into their poems and damn if I am going to let academia tell my readers what I was saying!

[Chris Shaw]

You are quite unusual in that respect. However. I praise the effort you put into your notes to ensure that your work is interpreted exactly as you desire it to be. I haven’t come across that before:)

[E.P. Robles]

Not a bad thing; not a good thing. Just a different thing. In my life many have misunderstood me. How they think being kind is weakness; how they think being eloquent is something outside of my sexuality. It goes on and on. But its all a miracle and magical. :)

[Chris Shaw]

I like different. As long as it all continues to be a miracle and magical :)

[E.P. Robles]

A HUNDRED POEMS - XXXI

There within that meadow beneath that weeping willow came to me my love!

Upon golden wings and gossamer hair What separation held

dissolved unto bliss
my heart gently held
within angelic mist!

There within that meadow beneath that weepy willow

Saw a rebirth of my soul
and fear fled, sorrow too
and weepy willow cried

"what soul once chained
NOW FREED!"

:: -- ::

[Chris Shaw]

I like the short stanzas here, the pleasant imagery, the personification of the willow. I got a great sense of rebirth and the freedom it brought. Freedom is everything for a tormented soul.

[E.P. Robles]

Ah, yes, the tormented soul seeking freedom. It's like a bird craving the open sky or a caged mind yearning for an escape hatch. But let's not forget, sometimes even the most tormented souls can find solace in a well-structured haiku or a really good sale at the grocery store. Perspective is a tricky thing, isn't it?

[Chris Shaw]

Well I would certainly agree that a well structured haiku could offer solace for a tormented soul. Brevity can really focus the mind and say so much in so few syllables. A really good sale at the grocery store? Will have to take your word for that one:)

[E.P. Robles]

Fresh produce gleams bright,
Discounts dance down each aisle,
Feast on savings, ripe.

[E.P. Robles]

See? haha.

[Chris Shaw]

You win :)

[E.P. Robles]

No. There's only us. Nothing less and nothing more. I enjoy our conversation.

[Lisasview]

Hello again,
As it is Sunday I am giving myself time to write and review...silly to say Sunday because everyday is the same when one is retired... Well, not the same in reality but the same because when one is retired one can decide what to do when and where...
Okay, now about your poem...
Immediately I was drawn into your poem because of your vivid description of a rose screaming... I actually could see the mouth of the rose...but that is my crazy imagination... I saw a single rose, perhaps metaphor for being apart from others, of yearning to be heard... each petal lost...a moment in time...
The rose...(poets) struggle to be finally heard ...is found throughout your poem.
I loved it...but then I am a succur for metaphors!
Lisa

[E.P. Robles]

Thank you for your review! I am very appreciative to reviews. Your review is too kind! :)

[Lisasview]

I enjoy giving reviews and no I am not too kind...just honest with what I write.
I just posted Fairies using a new structure that I have never done before...and very different from most of my poems.
I did a bit of investigating and found your art work... really do like it.
Lisa

[E.P. Robles]

Fairies? Let me see!

[Lisasview]

Thank you...