At a dim-lit dining table I sat <br />Alone, but a lone red rose in vase, stood <br />My mind's lost sojourn, she read <br />Confused and searching, my unusual mood <br /> <br />Rose asked: May I ask why the look of askance? <br />I could help to bring relief, given a chance <br />Trust me, I would find you an answer <br />It would be pathetic to see you whither! <br /> <br />I asked: How do I make my life beautiful? <br />She whispered: It begins with you being truthful <br />Your spirit and heart as one, emit fragrance <br />Become an attractive flower, for instance <br />Take my fragrance with you <br />To give away to others around, the few <br />With her fragrance within, I won many friends <br /> <br />Some time passed <br />Again, I went to her and asked: <br />How do I make my life more beautiful? <br /> <br />My rose said: You need to be uniquely coulourful <br />Be unique you, yet be real and true <br />Take my firmness, softness, my colour with you <br />Become real, be the real unique you! <br />Her uniqueness stood out, my uniqueness <br />I was loved, I found some happiness <br /> <br />Some time passed <br />Again, went to my Rose and asked: <br />How do I make my life complete with love? <br /> <br />She advised: You must learn to love <br />Really love, without being suave! <br />Take all my petals, strew them over your love, as you greet <br />I strewed the petals at my lover's feet <br />I found my love, all complete <br /> <br />Some time passed <br />Again, went to my Rose and asked: <br />How do I find my joy complete? <br /> <br />My Rose replied: I am now only a stump twig <br />I gave you all, even though it painfully pricked <br />Love is a choice of offering <br />A voluntarily self-sacrificing <br />Patiently, an unselfish giving <br />There's no greater love than this: <br />To lay down one's life for a fellow friend!<br /><br />Paul Sebastian<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-is-sacrifice/
