The Rose

Near a shady wall a rose once grew
Budded and blossomed in God’s free light
Watered and fed by morning dew
Shedding it’s sweetness by day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall
Slowly rising to loftier height
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength
With never a thought of fear or pride
It followed the light through the crevice’s length
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view,
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing it’s fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint and fall?
Nay! Let us Faith in God receive…
The rose still grows beyond the wall.

Scattering fragrance far and wide
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forever.