Rain and Roses

<h2><SPAN name="MY_NEIGHBORS_ROSES" id="MY_NEIGHBORS_ROSES"></SPAN>My Neighbor’s Roses</h2> <div class="poetry"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="ig"><span class="letra">M</span>Y neighbor’s roses always grow<br/></span> <span class="ih">In such a tantalizing row,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of fragrance and perfume,<br/></span> <span class="i0">A riotous mass of twilight bloom.<br/></span> <span class="i0">And I am tempted oftentimes<br/></span> <span class="i0">When walking where the stray ones climb,<br/></span> <span class="i0">To reach my willing hands out so<br/></span> <span class="i0">And clasp each crimson, flaming glow.<br/></span> <span class="i0">A breeze steals softly thru the day<br/></span> <span class="i0">And brushes them too far away.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Christ! make me kind enough to give<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of roses while my friends yet live.<br/></span> <span class="i0">And if they reach their eager hands,<br/></span> <span class="i0">To where my flowers with clinging bands,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Are nodding, tempting, from the row.<br/></span> <span class="i0">Oh! Christ I pray let breezes blow<br/></span> <span class="i0">A thousand fragrant, tender charms<br/></span> <span class="i0">Into my neighbor’s outstretched arms.<br/></span> <span class="i0">Then keep my burning heart and tho’t,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Tender enough to stay them not.<br/></span> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page_31" id="page_31">{31}</SPAN></span></div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />