The Long Distance Loneliness Of The Little Rose Tree Poem by Denis Martindale

For the last twenty years and more,
My little rose tree has endured well,
Through both the Summer heat and the Winter chill.
And I have protected that little miracle every now and then.
When I paid gardeners to maintain my gardens,
I told them not to harm that little rose tree.
And when the weeds and the persistent vines surrounded it,
I noticed what was happening.
I removed the ground level plants.
I pulled away the twirling curling vines.
Yes, and still I see the petite pink roses growing
And the petals falling down to be replaced by new roses.
Such is life, despite the sunshine and the rain,
The winds when Autumn comes and goes,
The snowflakes falling,
The frozen snow settling still.
Christmas and the New Year,
Saint Valentine's Day and Easter,
Harvest time and Halloween.
Beyond the passing of Father, Mother and Brother.
Perhaps beyond my passing, too.
And should I depart before the Rapture Day,
The new buyers may come and settle in.
Will they protect the petite pink roses I hold in high esteem?
Will they forcefully pull up the little rose tree?
Whatever happens, the petite pink roses have blessed me.
They gave me hope just as the rose tree itself has done.
For if a single lonely rose tree can endure its loneliness,
Then so can I. So can I…


Denis Martindale, for the 18th of October 2024.