My Virtual Reading Room

Roses and Rue

"Bring me the roses white and red,
And cast the laurel crown away,
Yea, wreathe the roses round my head
That wearies 'neath the crown of bay."

"We searched the forest through and through
But found no roses anywhere,
But we  have brought a little rue
To twine a circlet for  your hair."

I would not pluck the rose in May,
I wove a laurel crown instead;
And when the laurel is cast away,
They bring me rue--the rose is dead.

(Sara Teasdale)