The lonely rose at the river bank
Swayed with the gentle breeze
Blooming on a thorny shank
Seemingly laughing at ease.

Thousands of secrets locked in its heart
Of people looking for a reason to smile
Of lovers who meet and part
Of travelers who have walked many a mile.

Of children looking at it in awe
Of poets trying to look for words
Of kids on the bank that it saw
Of hundreds of chirping little birds.

It seemed to say to the passers- by
“Just wait for a moment and spare a glance,
I give you a lesson before I die,
I smiled amidst the thorns when it was my chance.

I kept the secrets locked within
Now I am dying, my head I bow
I enjoyed the lights bright and dim
And I think, it’s your turn now.”