Dedications

Atholl’s Rose

We planted you a rose tree
Standing tall in its place.
Bright flames burst above
Hebe’s white plumes
And lavender’s quiet haze.

Not dulled by leaden morning air
Is this wildfire.
No artist’s alchemy finds those elusive blooms.
No mix of cadmium yellow or quin magenta,
Signal red or scarlet lake can record.

So, we must be content
Only to look upon
The transient brilliance that summer gifts,
Till sleep takes our rose again,
To awaken in another year.