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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PROMISE, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poet's Biography First Line: I grew a rose within a garden fair Last Line: It blossomed -- but, alas! A worm was at its heart! Subject(s): Flowers; Roses | |||
I GREW a rose within a garden fair, And, tending it with more than loving care, I thought how, with the glory of its bloom, I should the darkness of my life illume; And, watching, ever smiled to see the lusty bud Drink freely in the summer sun to tinct its blood. My rose began to open, and its hue Was sweet to me as to it sun and dew; I watched it taking on its ruddy flame Until the day of perfect blooming came, Then hasted I with smiles to find it blushing red -- Too late! Some thoughtless child had plucked my rose and fled! FULFILMENT. I GREW a rose once more to please mine eyes. All things to aid it -- dew, sun, wind, fair skies -- Were kindly; and to shield it from despoil, I fenced it safely in with grateful toil. No other hand than mine shall pluck this flower, said I, And I was jealous of the bee that hovered nigh. It grew for days; I stood hour after hour To watch the slow unfolding of the flower, And then I did not leave its side at all, Lest some mischance my flower should befall. At last, oh joy! the central petals burst apart. It blossomed -- but, alas! a worm was at its heart! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHISPER OF THE ROSE by EDMUND JOHN ARMSTRONG THE WISDOM OF THE ROSE by ELSA BARKER LOVE PLANTED A ROSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES ROSES; A VILANELLE by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON THE PAINTER ON SILK by AMY LOWELL VARIATIONS: 17 by CONRAD AIKEN WORDS IN A CERTAIN APPROPRIATE MODE by HAYDEN CARRUTH ERE SLEEP COMES DOWN TO SOOTHE THE WEARY EYES by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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