A solitary rose in red attire Condescended: A fleeting glance - She apprehended My affections, Turned away From me, a stray - Stubble weed - Genes to build an oddity: Common seed - Happy-go-lucky entity In dull array. The rose glowered, But in ascension Slipped a view of blight Upon her regal greenery:
Black spot! In all her bold perfumery And blushing flower, The sheen of vulnerability in jet Reminded me how snobbery And haughty shower Tarnish with an underlying debt! She wavered in her shallow play - Man-bred - Hardiness foregone. The rose no longer shone.