A tragic love story

 

 

 

On a lovely rose bush, a sparrow once perched,

Through the foliage so green did he search

Amongst the red roses there stood only one white,

And he knew at once it was love at first sight.

 

“Ah, fair white rose! How lovely art thou,”

Said the little sparrow with a courteous bow,

But the white rose who was most highly sought,

Would not give this suitor a second thought.

 

“Insolent fool! How dare you speak to me?”

The white rose exclaimed most haughtily,

“For you are but a sparrow common as can be,”

“You do not deserve the pleasure of my fair company.”

 

The sparrow undaunted, tried again and again,

To win her affections but it was all in vain,

Finally, he serenaded her with a love song so sincere,

That all who heard it were reduced to tears.

 

But alas! For the white rose, her heart hardened be,

Rejected the sparrow with the utmost cruelty,

“If I were as plain as those roses in red,”

“Then only to thee will I willingly be wedded.”

 

With that, the sparrow heaved a sorrowful sigh,

As tears welled up in his mournful eyes,

Up into the air he flew,

To where briars and brambles grew.

 

When he chanced upon that dreadful place,

With a look of resilience upon his face,

He pricked his chest upon a thorn,

Until bright red blood was drawn.

 

Then, although weakened and in pain,

Back he flew to the rose bush again,

To prove that his love was stronger than death,

And to see the white rose before he drew his last breath.

 

As his strength began to wane,

His balance, he struggled to regain,

But down he fell into the bush once more,

Right before the white rose he so adored.

 

His blood flowed freely as he bled,

Staining the white rose’s petals deep red,

“I love thee,” he whispered tenderly to her,

Then his eyes closed in sleep forever.

 

The sacrifice he hath made chastised her pride,

The white rose realised her folly and tearfully cried,

“Oh, my dear love! How I deeply regret,”

“Spurning your love from the day we first met!”

 

But he would never awaken to hear her say,

Those longing words to him that day,

A tragic tale of love and sorrow,

The white rose and the little sparrow.

 

*Rajwinraj*