Haughty Rose



“Haughty Rose”

Of tall and stately stature
Regaled by kings and queens
She grows not free in pasture
But of cultured royal genes

Her fragrance rich, arousing
Her stem best left unclutched
Displayed for passers browsing —
She prefers to be untouched

Her petals soft and tender
Her colors, multi-hued
Beckon one to bend to her —
Proposal misconstrued

One needs to keep a distance
But flirting is allowed
If picking her, the preference —
It’s quickly disavowed

Alas, the haughty rose flower
Alone upon her throne
Looks down from her high tower
And regrets true love unknown

About this poem

In this poem, the rose personifies the snobby “upper crust”. Looking down on others with an off-putting air, does not make for a happy, satisfying life.

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Written on October 15, 2023

Submitted by susan.brumel on March 15, 2024

32 sec read
228

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CDCD ADAD EDED AFAF
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 592
Words 107
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Susan Mayer Brumel

A few years ago, I retired from a thirty-five year career in hospice counseling, at which time I began writing poetry. My poems are influenced by my patients’ journeys, the compelling beauty of nature, and the human condition. A lover of all animals and most people, I enjoy spending time in nature, long walks, and reading Pablo Neruda, Blake, William Carlos Williams, James Joyce, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Leonard Cohen, and more. Baudelaire tells us to ‘be drunk’ on something every day; I am drunk on poetry and intend never to be sober! more…

All Susan Mayer Brumel poems | Susan Mayer Brumel Books

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Discuss the poem Haughty Rose with the community...

7 Comments
  • delano
    Thought it was about a real person. Well written
    LikeReply 128 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      So happy you enjoyed this one. It was a fun one to write.
      LikeReply28 days ago
    • delano
      thanks
      LikeReply28 days ago
  • alanswansea18
    Thank you for the vote on the whispering leaves. You have a lot of talent I never seen before. The beauty in your poems.
    LikeReply 17 months ago
    • susan.brumel
      Thank you. I’m happy you liked it and appreciate your support very much.
      LikeReply7 months ago
  • Vixility
    So good! I had no idea what this poem would say after having read the title— personification, eloquent language, a lovely rhyme-scheme and a humble warning against arrogance and self-complacency … a lot.

    It reminded me of a song I first heard almost a decade ago: Mirele.
     
    LikeReply 18 months ago
    • susan.brumel
      Thank you! Your analysis of poetry never fails to amaze me. Remembering this beautiful song when you read my poem is quite the compliment. I had never heard of it. I wonder where you did.
      LikeReply8 months ago
    • Vixility
      The shopkeeper Dvoyrele's daughter is calledPretty Mirele, MireleAnd Dvoyrele says that her only comfortIs Mirele, Mirele.The sun shines by day, the moon by night,And Mirele stands by the window and laughsLaugh, Mirele, Mirele.This Mirele is graceful, sweetly beautiful,This Mirele, Mirele.She has white hands and white teeth,Ah, Mirele, Mirele.The boys all grow pale with longing,But Mirele's heart is colder than ice,Oh, Mirele, Mirele...Nothing but sighs float up to the sky,Oh, Mirele, Mirele,No one can eat, no one can sleep,Oh, Mirele, Mirele,All the hearts are bursting with ache and pain,But no one can move the frigid heartOf Mirele, Mirele.The years flow by like water,Look, Mirele, Mirele.Your beauty has already come to an end,Oh, Mirele, Mirele,Your face is haggard, your head is bowed,Your eyes are bloodshot, your braids are grey...Light from the stars and moon at night shinesOn Mirele, MireleShe stands by the window, mournful and pensive,Oh, Mirele, Mirele...The clouds drift here and there,A tear drops from Mirele's eye,Weep, Mirele, Mirele! 
      LikeReply 18 months ago
  • npirandy
    It's nice to see you in the credits again, but I think your rhythm and rhyme bought higher praise than you received.
    LikeReply 28 months ago
    • susan.brumel
      That’s so nice of you to say.
      Thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it. :)
      LikeReply8 months ago
  • Caliconine
    This poem has very touched my ♥️. So beautiful such amazing talent displayed here!
    LikeReply 28 months ago
  • Symmetry60
    Excellent writing, by an excellent poet.
    LikeReply 28 months ago
    • susan.brumel
      Thank you so much! I appreciate your support!
      LikeReply 18 months ago
    • susan.brumel
      captcha won’t let me reply
      LikeReply5 months ago
  • ashleyeburns04
    I couldn't help but smile as I read it! I found it relatable...

    "Displayed for passers browsing —
    She prefers to be untouched"

    "Alas, the haughty rose flower
    Alone upon her throne
    Looks down from her high tower
    And regrets true love unknown"

    At the very least, I understand the longing for love or connection and, in tandem, not wanting it. Loved it!
     
    LikeReply 28 months ago
    • susan.brumel
      Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments. I’m so happy it made you smile!
      LikeReply8 months ago

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"Haughty Rose" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/184902/haughty-rose>.

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