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