Petal and Thorn

Summary

The poem "Petal and Thorn" by Jim Dutton reflects on the enduring nature of love, contrasting it with the transient life of roses given as tokens of love throughout the years.

Abstract

"Petal and Thorn" is a poignant piece that explores the theme of everlasting love against the backdrop of time's passage. The author, Jim Dutton, uses the metaphor of roses that wilt and die to symbolize the fleeting nature of beauty and life. Despite the inevitable decay of the roses, the love between the couple remains strong and vibrant, even after the passing of the individuals. The poem highlights the paradox of love's permanence in a world where everything else is impermanent, as encapsulated by the Rumi quote, "Except for love, nothing you see will remain forever." The narrative follows the tradition of the couple celebrating their anniversary with roses, which serve as a reminder of their shared experiences and the resilience of their bond. The discovery of dried roses after the parents' death serves as a testament to their enduring love.

Opinions

The author conveys a deep appreciation for the enduring quality of love, which outlasts physical beauty and life itself.
There is a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the passage of time as the roses are used to mark each year of the couple's marriage.
The poem suggests that love is not diminished by the physical decay or death, as evidenced by the preserved roses found after the parents' passing.
The author, Jim Dutton, expresses a personal connection to love poems, indicating a fondness for the genre and its ability to capture profound emotions.
The work pays homage to the Paper Poetry team and Carolyn Hastings, acknowledging their role in inspiring the creation of this poem through their prompt.

Before their love

Credit: Author

“Except for love, nothing you see will remain forever ~ Rumi”

He gave her a rose on their wedding morn a token of the life they’d just begun symbolizing beauty joined with the thorn but it wilted and died before their love.

To celebrate their second year as one two roses on their anniversary but they wilted and died before their love had even begun to fade away.

Twelve years together — a dozen stems that wilted and died before their love. Verdant leaves darkened and crimson hues dimmed while their romance continued to bud.

Though roses wilted and died before their love they remembered each new year with a vase filled with flowers and laughter, thorns and blood they had shared throughout all of their days.

When my parents passed I found a photo — young lovers framed on the mantel above thousands of roses, pressed, dried, and strewn that had wilted and died before their love.

Bodies and blossoms, branches and blood all wilted and died before their love.

Thanks to the Paper Poetry team and especially Carolyn Hastings for inviting me to participate in the Week 3 prompt. I am a sucker for love poems.

Valentine’s at Paper Poetry

Petal and Thorn

Before their love

Except For Love, Nothing Will Remain Forever ~ Rumi

Taking Over From A Flying Start

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