Roses For Mama
26 October, 2003
Author: Mark Spencer
I took a trip to the florist,
This past Christmas Eve morn.
And happened by a homeless man,
Who seemed lost, and forlorn.
He said: “Good sir, I need your help,
I don’t seek to deceive,
I need some roses for mama.
For it is Christmas Eve.”
“But they act as though I’m not there,
These florists must be blind!”
He handed me his change and asked,
If I would be so kind.
He’d saved enough for three long stems,
Not much of a bouquet,
But cheerfully he shook my hand,
And then was on his way.
Convinced that I’d done my good deed,
I bought some for my wife.
Two dozen beautiful roses,
For the love of my life.
Driving past the cemetery,
I saw that homeless man.
Kneeling beside his mother’s grave,
And so I parked my van.
My heart was broken by that sight,
I knew not what to say.
I mindfully approached the grave,
Offering my bouquet,
He said: “You meant those for your wife,
They should not leave your hand.”
I said, my wife knows I love her,
And she will understand.
I placed them on his mother’s grave,
As tears rolled down his face.
And I was lost in the moment,
Suspended in that place.
Then from behind, a man inquired,
If I had been a friend.
I told him “no, I’m with her son,”
He did not comprehend.
When I pointed at the roses,
The homeless man was gone.
The stranger said, “You’ve seen him too?”
Was he putting me on?
He said, “I believe your story.
For I’ve seen him as well;
On Christmas Eve, six years ago,
A tale I rarely tell.”
He said there’s something I should know,
And quickly clarified.
“It was back in nineteen ninety,
When this homeless man died.”
He came here every Christmas Eve,
Until his final breath.
It’s a practice he’s continued,
All these years, since his death.
Sometimes it takes a miracle,
To make someone believe.
Mine came with roses for mama,
One special Christmas Eve.
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Comments on this poem/writing:
| Pondering Red (65.94.133.60) -- Wednesday, October 29 2003, 05:40 pm I have to say that this poem was really well done... great rhythmn and rhyme...touching story that evolves really well in the format you have chosen..heartfelt and again, really well done... |
| KitKatrina (68.113.60.103) -- Thursday, October 30 2003, 09:44 am I am a huge fan of your poetry. You express yourself so well. And each poem gets better and better. Just outstanding and wonderful all aroud... |
| Megan (24.144.58.231) -- Wednesday, December 20 2006, 03:47 am This is a masterpiece. |
| Bipedalguy (4.156.144.241) -- Wednesday, December 20 2006, 04:44 am and this keyboard can't express how deeply this poem reached me. It's a very good poem. |
| barb (67.58.200.76) -- Wednesday, December 20 2006, 05:14 am Your writing is so sweet and kind I like it. |
| Dean (10.200.203.244) -- Tuesday, March 18 2008, 10:54 am This poem is wonderful!! I lost my mom less than a month ago and this is so hearttouching to me!! Roses for Mama, will always be remembered by me!! Thank you!! |
| Megan (166.205.9.70) -- Sunday, December 19 2010, 01:48 am I have read this poem every year around Christmas. It's such a good story, and it helps me to remember that Christmas is about love. Thank you for posting it. |
| Bipedalguy (Don Crowell) (71.232.227.76) -- Tuesday, December 28 2010, 04:07 am I read and commented on this poem four years ago. I just noticed it and read it again. It is so touching and so beautiful that I cannot maintain dry eyes. Your poetry is miraculous. |
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