Poems (Kennedy)/Carmen's Rose
CARMEN'S ROSE
KISSED and tossed to her lover From the dusk of her midnight hair,She knew the touch of her laughing lips Was a never-ending snare.
Rose of a hundred legends In your velvet petals curled,Forever unfading and fragrant You are held to the heart of the world.
Born of the sunshine of loving, Dyed deep with the passions of years,Lang'rous with breath of desire, Dew-wet with glisten of tears—
Type for all ages to come Of love and of jealousy's hate,Your perfume is life's reddest wine, Quaffed deep from beakers of fate.