Faded Thorned Rose

Faded Thorned Rose

written by: Jackie Shaffer

Heaviness of heart, I weeping softly
Illumination from steel girders of city below
Brightness of sun rays disappearing behind billowy night skies
Shadows dusting cobbled streets, reflective lanterns aglow

Our love ending
Shattered snap shot moments, angry words imprisoned deep inside
Unvoiced by both parties, disappointments crying eyes can not hide

Me, a red rose, its color fading
Heart piercing thorns, a dying passion slowly pervading
Summer transitioning into Autumn
Its beauteous time spent
No deadheading encouraged, as I weep and lament

Young when we met, college soulmates
A connection, not to ignore
Holding late night studies, pepperoni and cheese to eat, bodies and minds eager to explore

The seed of young love, beginnings sprouting
Its rippling effects growing forever more
Romantic weekend sleepovers
Our lives intertwined, no going backwards to before

Weeks…Months…Years…

Both busy growing family, life’s errands, and progressing our careers

Looking back, no warnings, no smoke alarms intermittently beeping
Framed photos, changing on mantle throughout the many years

No longer soulmates, our own separate paths forward moving
Memories, their colors fading, held in pierced heart for always
Safekeeping

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• About
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Jackie Shaffer

Jackie Shaffer, a former administrator of a worldwide online poetry site with over 100,000 members, as-well as a current Administrator of an online prestigious poetry group. She is a creative storyteller, having journeyed through several adversities. She encourages others' emotional healing by sharing her works with aspiring poets, challenging them to explore feelings and experiences in written form. As to date, she has been published in 2 Anthology books which contribute their proceeds to a world wide charity for children. An Anthology collaboration book, published by McKinley Publishing. Several poems published online by Spillwords Press, a literary magazine. Family is the most important thing in her life. She is married with 2 adult children and has 4 grandsons. She enjoys reading, gardening and socializing with friends as well as playing cards and board games. She has a love for baking. She continues to grow poetically by exploring different topics as her subject matter.

Latest posts by Jackie Shaffer (see all)

• Reflections - September 23, 2025
• Faded Thorned Rose - June 23, 2025
• Pollinator of My Soul - February 27, 2025