Poems (Dorr)/Thornless Roses

by Julia Caroline Dorr

THORNLESS ROSES

"No rose may bloom without a thorn?"
 Come down the garden paths and see
How brightly in the scented air
      They bloom for you and me!

See how, like rosy clouds, they lie
 Against the perfect, stainless blue!
See how they toss their airy heads,
      And smile for me, for you!

No scanty largess, meanly doled—
 No pallid blooms, by two, by three,
But a whole crowd of pink-white wings
      Fluttering for you and me.

So fair they are I cannot choose;
 I pluck the rich spoils here and there
I heap them on your waiting arms;
      I twine them in your hair.

There is no thorn among them all—
 No sharp sting in the heart of bliss—
No bitter in the honeyed cup—
      No burning in the kiss.

Nay, quote the proverb if you must,
 And mock the truth you will not see;
Nathless, Love's thornless roses blow
      Somewhere for you and me.