Where Have You Come From, Rose? Poem by Parvati Pradnya

Oh, you poor innocent rose?
Once blood red, now charcoal black
Lying stamped on the cobbles
Weeping and sad

Were you one such a rose
In the hair of a pretty maiden
Adorning her golden locks
Maybe she left you for the gold-stringed ribbon
Or for the ruby diadem

Were you one such a rose
Offered to the Lord's idol
Lying on His divine feet?
Maybe the devotee fell short of reverence,
Or perhaps the priest preferred garlands

Were you one such a rose
A lover wished to give his sweetheart
To make unrequited love requited?
Maybe she had bouquets from a dozen other suitors
Or his youthful heart mistook fancy for love

Were you one such a rose
Not the prettiest in the garden
Modestly perched on a branch
Maybe the gardener didn't tend to you well
Or maybe the vain orchids bullied you

Wherever you may come from, rose
Wherever you may go
I'm afraid everyone you meet
Will leave you stamped on the cobbles
Weeping and sad

(24th July,2013)