A Tear, And A Lovely Rose

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England)

Darling, thank you for the lovely rose
you placed within my hand.
It is still as fresh and fragrant.
And blooming in the Summer Land.

I also heard you whisper,
as you said your last goodbye.
"Cheerio then-- I'll always love you.
And I'll see on the other side."

But I knew your heart was breaking.
And how I wished we could embrace.
And then you bent to kiss me.
And a tear fell on my face.

And with that tear-- I journeyed on.
The rose held held in my hand.
And with far more than I could wish,
arrived here in the Summer Land.

And so-- until you join me too.
What more could I have chose?
Than wonderful memories of you.
A tear-- And a lovely rose.