A Quincunx Garden

By the gates I pause awhile,
A rambling rose cascading down,
Its petals pink and consoling.
A tapestry of flowers brings peace to sad eyes:
The yellow jonquil, the virgin lily,
And summer-blue forget-me-not.

Gladioli and poppies, erect in the vase,
By words of meaning and hope,
A stairway, a lane, may be revealed
Beyond the tears in heaven.
Green willows fall into calming pools
And soften eyes to life's truth:
How wonderful to have known the rose!