I Dreamed The Cooling Eve Poem by John Rickell

I dreamed the cooling eve
lay on the grass from noon 'til now
light grey clouds discrete hid me from the sun
naked found rose deep red petals
lying close, so close; I did not ask
good fortune like this comes but once
no thorns prevent my way.
I did not pluck this flower
she (for that I did presume)
lay in the grass.
We moved close, or was it I?
yes I think it was,
but she did not move away.
I held her as a crystal goblet
took her to my mouth and drank,
petals limp in the cooling light
darkening in the moonlight
drew me close, emboldened
I felt a shiver, petals strewn about my shoulder
full awake suffocating in the blossom.
Who was this rose? I did not ask
sinking in the grass
to dream the cooling eve.