FanStory.com - Sometimes Roses, Sometimes Thorns by michaelcahill

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"Sometimes Roses, Sometimes Thorns"

Prologue
Sometimes Roses, Sometimes Thorns

By michaelcahill

i feel a stirring, one I should ignore.
This road is quite familiar, often trod;
it's lined with floral scents I so adore,
and she's a beauty; I'll admit I'm awed.

Of course, I tell myself, "Remember when
frail petals fell and some impaled and frayed.
you touched them, getting cut and bleeding then
you found yourself alone with heart betrayed."

But I'm enticed by roses and must chance
their loveliness, despite the pain may be.
I'll probably be cut with pride's advance,
and made a fool of love withheld by she.

Though I have wit and know cool sense forewarns,
it's worth it, sometimes roses, sometimes thorns.

~~~~

Chapter 1
I Met a Girl

By michaelcahill

i'm hypnotized with emerald acquiescence,
entwining sapphires spinning as they glow.
My tongue is tied so like my adolescence;
I'm dancing in a sea of indigo.

I see you in the distance, should I leave?
I fear you'll find me foolish if I run.
Without you there is nothing to believe.
My world's an empty sky, and you're the sun.

Still, you're a diamond, colour shines through you;
the meadow smiles, white clouds all tint your day.
Now, wisdom scolds me, whisper your 'Adieu',
remember all these hues, then slip away.

But I must face myself. I'll seek this pearl!
One day I'll say that I once met a girl.

~~~~

Chapter 2
Smoldering Embers

By michaelcahill

Perhaps I should not speak of love at all,
it seems my every thought lacks consequence.
And though I'm tossed by breezes I stand tall,
pay homage to soft shadows sadly hence.

I'll care not if my hopes and foolish dreams
of you and joy eternal are but smoke;
from forests burned and cinders clouding streams,
my misery's a singed and blackened cloak.

Still, memories have origins, it's true,
and sadness owes a nod to bliss, you see?
What would I know of love if not for you,
but ashes are your final legacy.

You're gone, and sorrow reigns, but yet I yearn,
like smoldering of embers seek to burn.

~~~~

Chapter 3
Of Swords and Pens and Merriment

By michaelcahill

with eyes and loins ablaze, I spy my prize;
my chamber won't be lonely 'ere this night.
My tongue will trace your lips and creamy thighs;
each whispered dream I'll gladly soon requite.

I draw my sword and slice the air with glee.
Just hear those oohs and aahs, can you resist?
My codpiece glimmers, yes, I know you see.
Of course, you'll learn its powers, I insist!

But to the bookish scribe you saunter near,
you pay no notice to this jesting man.
For pity's sake, you swoon and hold him dear,
while I look quite the fool with sheath in hand.

Oh, woe be me, in shame, I bow my head,
but look, a sweeter lass will grace my bed!

~~~~

Chapter 4
Lovely Valentine

By michaelcahill

the sun sighs grateful for a cloud arrived
to shield it from the dazzling light displayed.
For when she smiles all hope and joy's revived,
seems stars awaiting night are not delayed.

And from a distant glow I bask in hope,
an insignificantly foolish boy.
I'm giddy thinking ways for how I'll cope,
but daft to conjure any clever ploy.

Still thrills await me simply to observe
her every gesture as she graces Earth.
I'm even tickled that I lack the nerve,
and find my hopeless quest to be of worth.

Some wine and dine their lovely valentine,
but I'm content to love the one not mine.

~~~~

Chapter 5
On Building Bars to Shield

By michaelcahill

i've found a love, it's true, a grand escape,
wrapped in myself for endless days alone.

Her smiling eyes and spunky wiles reshape
my loneliness, the worst I've ever known.
My forward, scattered, reckless mind is thrilled
with thoughts once deemed elusive, left to dreams.
My gaze, I'm taken in, I am fulfilled!
(feel like a bratty boy with furtive schemes).
But still a voice of reason whispers, "Why
would one so grand have smiling eyes for me?"
My cage is rusted from the tears I cry;
I've never been the one to win, you see?
The moan of weeping metal gives her pause.
I am unworthy ... I hear no applause.

~~~~

Chapter 6
The Sun Embracing Mist

By michaelcahill

Author Note:

LOVE AMPLIFIES ... EVERYTHING

as quickly as your flame burst forth it died,
while passion melted ice around my soul.
I marveled at your love grown cold inside.
Fair ghost, you spooked, then left an empty hole.

Myself, I faulted for this turn of heart,
for surely, I was ripe for such a ruse.
I'd only dreamed the words right from the start;
when hope is list’ning fools hear what they choose.

Yet, memories still linger though I'm numb,
It matters not they lack veracity.
I thought myself the catch, but I've become;
another man with lost capacity.

Away you pranced in early morning's kiss,
and I hold on to sun, embracing mist.

~~~~

Chapter 7
A Mountain's First To See the Dawn

By michaelcahill

it’s always circumstance exerting will,
no matter what the dream or effort plied.
It’s noble, yes, to proudly boast, I tried
but effort left alone will not distill.
It seems a frosted flurry aims to chill
the seeds that sprang to life hope glorified.
The moon gave thrills, then waned, and so I sighed.
Is some dark force against me wishing ill?

It’s time to acquiesce; I loathe alone,
especially now, as springtime proffers hope.
Faux bravery's for fools, I’ve always known.
You've warmed my hungry heart and helped me cope.
The mountain's first to view the breaking dawn;
renewed, I shout, and spring up winter’s slope.

~~~~

Author Notes PROF-fers
verb
3rd person present: proffers
1.
hold out (something) to someone for acceptance; offer.
"he proffered his resignation"
synonyms: offer, tender, submit, extend, volunteer, suggest, propose, put forward; hold out

Chapter 8
Love Unbound

By michaelcahill

soft gossamer envelops her sweet face,
as Father Time takes pity on my eyes.
She glides in measured steps, I still see grace,
a courtly masquerade, her droll disguise.

My lips bestow a kiss upon her hand,
we bow, our song we sing, the dance begins.
The looking glass reflects our steps so grand.
We glide with starlit steps and moonlit spins.

But Mother Nature brings her cross to bear,
yet we escape her grasp--we shan't be caught!
There's none can snatch me from my princess fair.
I'll fight 'til death! They'll wish they'd never fought.

A waltz adagio--our souls soar free
Our love transcends a mere eternity.

~~~~

Author Notes Adagio: A music term used for slow, sustained movements.

Chapter 9
Our Secret Dance

By michaelcahill

all time stands still as I behold your face
engraved within these eyes for countless years
My heart and soul surrounded by your grace
The thrill of ecstasies ignite my fears

I stumble forward with intentions bold
for time is not your master I can see
Perhaps you have your reasons to withhold
Embraced--I feel the fire you've saved for me

In blindness, we indulge our hearts desire
but practical and honest is recalled
The consequences rise and they are dire
we're called to honor—fantasy is stalled

Now worlds apart we dance our dance alone
Yet still we smile to know what we have known

~~~~

Chapter 10
Lighthouse In the Dark

By michaelcahill

my lost love calls, yet mocks for I've no dreams
to launch a quest in vain upon some sea
Her sad goodbye rolls in on waves and screams,
"You were supposed to turn and follow me."

Our plans when young were bold with joie de vivre
then every shore seemed well within our reach
I should have begged you when you turned to leave
my sorrow soon corralled me on this beach

But fortune pitied all my wounds and woes
for you set sail though I did not deserve
Your soul could not deny that which it knows
for all these years, you've held me in reserve

With joy, two rescued hearts provide the spark
and love's become our lighthouse in the dark.

~~~~

Chapter 11
Morning Glory

By michaelcahill

ah yes, my morning glory you arise,
and blossom in your splendor with first light.
You crane to feel the warmth each petal spies,
and leave behind the myst'ries of the night.

You wilt so weakly as the day wears on.
So meekly, does your beauty burden you?
As ev'ning comes, my heart remembers dawn
and how you thrilled me with each joyful hue.

But, hidden deep within your lovely wiles,
an evil poison flows in deadly stream.
My mind's adrift, we share our star-struck smiles.
I cannot tell your nightmare from my dream.

I should have let my eyes draw beauty in;
but I was weak--last night I tasted sin.

~~~~

Author Notes The morning glory flower blooms in the morning and its blooms close as the sun goes down.

It is hallucinogenic in small doses and lethal in large doses.

Chapter 12
Lover's Orchestration

By michaelcahill

a minuet with pizzicato strings;
I greet you breathless, hoping you will stay.
We kiss in quiet measures, my heart sings,
our lips in thrilling tremolo at play.

I pull the bow with boldness 'cross the bass,
violas answer sultry rhythm's strong.
The second movement finds us in our space,
with just us two on stage to play our song.

But now the cello sounds a solemn tone,
it echoes doubt, and burns inside the soul.
A frenzied pace, a fear to be alone,
crescendoed spirals longing to extol.

The orchestra's let loose its final sound,
yet music will return when love is found.

~~~~

Author Notes measure-similar to a line of poetry. A portion of a piece of music.

pizzicato - plucking the strings of a bowed string instrument with the fingers

tremolo - rapid reiteration of a sing-note or rapid alternation between two notes.

Chapter 13
Blinded By Everything

By michaelcahill

sometimes there is no fault to what befalls us;
when beauty steals our breathless sense with ease.
I’m blinded, it’s aurora borealis
from her eyes. Oh, see me, darling, please!

She speaks in subtle sensuality,
and sparks desires dormant set ablaze.
I dream there’s some slight chance she’s teasing me;
for somehow, someway I must feed this craze.

Yet, not the slightest whisper, wink or clue,
or even innuendo for relief.
Let’s please pretend for just a sec’ taboo
would be divine, and I’m your lusting thief!

Alas, you give a friendly hug with cheer;
now, surely you must feel my plight, my dear.

~~~~

Chapter 14
No Cost, No Return

By michaelcahill

it matters not if love will be returned,
for it is given, not received, my soul
perceives as truth, not traded vows we’ve learned.
No cost or payment due will make us whole.

I pledge with all my heart's fidelity.
I ask not that you do the same in kind.
You live your life, owe not a thing to me.
I’ll give you everything as though I’m blind.

You say you love me, how can I be sure?
I see no reason to believe you're true.
If doubt must be the burden, I endure;
then be it so, perhaps the bloom is blue.

Though I have wit and know cool sense forewarns,
it's worth it, sometimes roses, sometimes thorns.

~~~~

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