It is said, they met quite by coincidence,
During a long hot summer many years ago.
Conversing across the top of the picket fence,
They realized each other's name, they didn't know.
For twelve years they were separated by this fence of white,
Their parents had hid them as children from each other's sight.
Others said that each family was from a different class,
And feared their meeting, because one was a lad and one a lass.
Whether coincidence, fate or by the Maker's hand,
The children met despite what their parents planned.
Their journey began while they were twelve years old,
They talked about family, self, nothing was left untold.
Each day they met, at the spot, where it all began,
Sometimes at noon, other times night, they had a plan.
There plan was to run away together and never be found,
But the unplanned happened and by love they were bound.
Love ran her course, on lad and lass, late one night,
When morning came everything seemed different in their sight.
Their lips touched each other, like grass touched by dew,
And when parting, they said to each other "I Love You".
Now when they meet its different than it was before,
They were in love and knew not what love had in store.
With love their guide, they began each day brand new,
It is sad, to say, this kind of love is known by so few.
They kissed and embraced each and every time they met,
On hot Summer days in the shade of the Oak they'd set.
Each season their love grew Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall,
But quickly they'd part and run home at a parents call.
Days, then weeks, followed by months and even years,
Brought to these two many joys and sometimes tears.
The day they dreaded, they knew would soon come to be,
When each other they would no longer be able to see.
The lad soon stepped into his fathers executive shoes,
While the lass became involved in political issues.
Their different paths would keep them miles apart,
But memories of being together, lived in their heart.
When lad finished his business at the close of day,
He went to the picket fence and there he would stay.
Dreaming and hoping for the lass to quickly return,
Afraid that she wouldn't,was his greatest concern.
Each day that he came, he would relive their past,
Remembering how those days seemingly went by fast.
He planted a rose at the place where they first met,
Everything they had done, he could never forget.
Roses soon grew as markers for each and every memory,
For the lad these roses became his living diary.
He cared for each rose like he was caring for the lass,
And never missed a day though many years did pass.
Love drove him on while being strengthened by hope,
Those two emotions for seventy years helped him cope.
Until the day he came to the fence at the age of eighty-two,
When before his weakened eyes his dream now came true.
There sat his love since they were twelve years old,
When their eyes met they knew their love never grew cold.
She was dressed in white like the first day they met,
Bordered by red roses, under the great Oak she set.
He slowly walked toward her, afraid it was a dream,
All the years without her, he could never redeem.
He reached forth his hand to hold hers in his,
This moment with her was worth more than all riches.
She stood, they embraced and then kissed,
They talked, catching up on the years missed.
The lass smiled at the sight she now saw,
There bloomed thousands of roses, she was in awe.
The Sun eased behind a line of Popular trees,
Now together, lad and lass, had no more worries.
As they laid together on a rose bed of deep red,
Upon the undying love of each other they fed.
Dawns light warmly shone upon both lass and lad,
Revealing what happened, some think it to be sad.
Wrapped in each others arms, that night they died,
With the mornings breeze you could hear the roses sigh.
Three days later they were buried side by side,
Overlooking the rose bed from a nearby hillside.
Red roses upon the white fence bloom every day,
While two silhouettes are seen each night at play.
Terry L. Sledge
Author notes
Written June 1st, 2002
A contest entry
- Beautiful Prewrites - All Forms Welcome by intanglio2ring.
300 points, ended August 16, 2006, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Celebrating 150 by intanglio2ring.
750 points, ended May 23, 2007, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Your Best Poems by Lj-.
300 points, ended June 10, 2007, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Raven Qualifier - Romance: Love, Fantasy and Passion by Raven Contest.
450 points, ended May 11, 117 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - anything take a look by x Bright Eyes x.
575 points, ended June 17, 2007, 124 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Love by Madison Mary.
650 points, ended September 10, 2007, 59 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Anything Goes by Beating.
450 points, ended December 14, 2007, 60 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The best you got! by izzy1804.
725 points, ended September 7, 64 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Can you feel the love? I can! by MJ Forgives.
1070 points, ended October 10, 79 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - WRITE ME MY LOVE STORY :)) by Intricate Wordsmith.
550 points, ended November 24, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Best of the Allpoetriers by wandyway.
550 points, ends December 2, 93 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest - versatility by littlegirlapril.
1250 points, ended November 21, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - WOMEN VS MEN POETS! ENTER NOW by the charmed one.
600 points, ends December 9, 60 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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oh my long. but a nice lovely story. <3 thank you for entering
<3littlegirl -
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!! thats more than amazing!!! the story is full of love....true one...and emotion....the ending is amazing ..it made me cry....and the rhyme flows sooo smoothhhhh!!!! is there more than only 3 aplauses
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Beautiful and Wonderful
That...That...That was so beautiful and very touching. It melted my heart 
. The love that you describe so strong. I wanted to cry. The beautiful love the couple had. I really loved it. I think everyone wants that type of love. I could really feel the love that the couple had in this. Really incredible job that you did. I hope you do a stupendous job in my contest and thank you for sharing me this beautiful entry that you entered in my contest. Love and Peace!
-Jess
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good luck btw
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Aww so sweet Beautiful....
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Speechless
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, then beautiful once again! You gave the reader plenty of imagery, as well as plenty of emotion! An amazing write!
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Tears. What a beautiful poetic tale, your creativity and talent is remarkable and very worthy of attention.
I defintely do not regret spending the little bit of time from my day to read this.
Such a warm and touching read that takes the reader through so many emotions.
I have just one question for you though, may I have your permission to share this with my aunt.
I would copy and paste it to her in an e-mail and I am sure it will be forwarded on to many.
I will of course include your name with the poem.
Thank you for sharing this,
Nicole
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Wow! This is a really sad but sweet poem! I really liked it. Sadly, I can't consider it in my contest, since you broke two rules. Sorry!
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OMG!!
AWW! I don't know if its the saddest or the cutest thing I have ever read! This is amazing! I LOVE it! Great job
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I really enjoyed the concept of the "[living diary of roses]" that you used in the middle of the piece. Also, the silhouettes that forever mark the presence of love found in the last line is endearing and timeless. There is so much wonderful sadness about this story that it is easy to forgive the places where you have strained the rhyme in the telling of your tale.
In a way, this contest IS about uncovering beauty and we have certainly done that here. Even though your tale is not the most original in concept, it is powerful enough to make us enjoy being involved, if only peripherally.
Thank you for your entry.
~Das -
i'm terribly sorry
I'm terribly sorry to inform you that I am deleting my contest on account of lack of talent. Oviously not you, I'm really sorry to tell you this, but if you go enter my next contests you'll do well, I'm really sorry. -
wow.
this is awsome I loved this, it's so cute. I kinda reminds me of a book by daniel steel. It's awsome Best of luck in the contest!
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though this is extremely long you were able to keep my attention. one thing with it is form though. each line does not need to be capitalized at all. that, to me, detracts from the reading. thank you for entering this contest and i wish you well in this qualifier round. viyanna rosemarie
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Ah! Love!
The tale of loves separated then at long last reunited! I kept wondering what your lady had done with her life. The roses were a beautiful sign of his dedication!
Thanks for your entry into my contest & Good Luck!
Tang
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Dear tlsledge,
But what happened that she didn't come around?
Great love story and I'm glad they were together in the end.
Thanks for a wonderful entry and Good Luck in my contest!
Tang -
Very nice choice to say the very least!!! Thank you for your interest in my competition! I wish you the very best!
Always,
Melanie
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wow. this made me tear up. great job.
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Wonderful gold trophy winner. Congratulations!
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This is very cute indeed. A very well written story with a wonderful ending. Thanks for entering.
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neutral
such a beautiful, touching story. very bittersweet, but wonderful theme woven through the stanzas.
*Heather* -
excellent
very nice -
excellent
This touched me deeply. Very beautiful...poignant. I believe in the power of fate/destiny...and know that given time, all will be as it is meant to be in the end. Would just prefer not to wait quite so long. You told this story in a very captivating manner. Bravo. -
don't touch it!
i still have gooseflesh from this....truly wonderful.... -
excellent
amazing love story!!it is just so beautifully written love it!!! -
excellent
compelling story, long, but worth reading it! loved it from start to finish. you were able to cover a lifetime of love, full of emotions!
very well written! -
neutral
gorgeous poem, beautiful storyline and very well written, love thats meant to be in the end will prevail if you believe in it. -
excellent
awsome Poem/story. I think it proves that If you believe, fate will always win in the end.I loved it i feel it's a story of Soulmates!
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