The Rose

Deck sags, chipped paint peels, afternoon waning;

Tired grill sighs in the glow of sun’s last rays.

Yet through dry slats, inelegant seeming,

Stretches pale golden bud to meet Father’s gaze.

She bends, reaching for Son’s redeeming light;

He shines around her, through her, strong and pure.

Rejoicing in His warmth before cool night,

His strength conferred to make her bold and sure.

The tears of dew still testify of pain,

Her struggle through the years of rain and sorrow.

He fills her heart with songs of peace again;

He holds her hand, helps her face tomorrow.

When she photographed that undaunted rose,

She took her own self-portrait. Does she know?

The featured image for The Rose is in fact the very rose portrayed in this beautiful sonnet, (c) Lancia E. Smith.  The title of this image is “Golden Rose in Glory Light“and is used with Lancia’s glad permission for The Cultivating Project, with deep gratitude for Athena’s kindness and generosity . 

Athena Williams

Athena lives and writes in Colorado Springs, where she can look up at the mountains and be reminded of the nearness of God. Hiking, reading, and spending time with her family are her passions. She and her husband, Jon, are actively involved in the Anselm Society, and they also run a ministry for blended families at their church. Whether through fiction, nonfiction or poetry, Athena loves to use words to paint portraits that display the work that God does within each person.

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