BLUE ROSE

If I were with you tonight, I’d bring you

a single rose, long-stemmed, blue shade, accent

for your eyes. I’d whisper history: blue

pigment delphinidin gene’s soft ascent

from small pansy cloned to Richelieu rose.

I might make a joke. Bask in bloomed flower

of your laughter. I’d say our laughter grows

from seeds of sadness, sprouts spirit’s power

into silken petals of joy. I’d tell

how Bon Jovi wrote Bed of Roses while

hung over, slumped in a hotel room, hell

muted in his guitar riffs, gentle style

of fingers caressing piano keys.

I’d tell how your eyes glow like mystic seas.

Roger Armbrust

October 18, 2013

LINDA RONSTADT

In Mexico, they speak of poetry

as “scatterings of jade,” she says. Valued

more than gold. She suffers rigidity

of Parkinson’s now. Brain waves misconstrue

music notes, knock her off course. She’s silenced

her stunning voice—her scatterings of jade

limited to disks and YouTube. But at ease

in the interview, gazing from dim stage,

she ends by taking questions, smiling, pleased

with the adoring audience. Knowledge

swells her responses, not just to disease,

but music, writing, education, pledge

to civilization’s safeguard.  Our sublime

applause shows we’ll love her for a long, long time.

Roger Armbrust

October 16, 2013

ROAD KILL

I’d brought her Gatorade. Slumped on graveled

shoulder, cars flashing past, she gulped it down;

joked, I’m like road kill. I said, I traveled

10 miles to find you. That’s progress. She frowned.

I recalled college, pre-season wind sprints

for basketball: Running a 220,

I fainted. Doc called it pneumonia. Sent

me straight to bed. Coach said, ‘You got plenty

of guts. Come back when you can breathe.’  Her eyes,

blue-gray like our early-morning sky, glowed.

I said, Remember six months ago? Wise

to call it progress. She nodded, I know.

New sun kissed us. She smiled and touched my cheek.

We linked arms, raised each other to our feet.

Roger Armbrust

October 15, 2013

LISBET RESPONDS TO HENRY

For years I’ve honored this from our great Bard:

Love all. Trust a few. Do harm to none.

Above all, I seem to trust you. It’s hard

sometimes. Yet when I watch your eyes, human

and beyond, hear your words, witness follow

through… I’ve read the great books, like you; held close

Aristotle’s care for phrases; allowed

More’s utopia, James’ call for faith; chose

to follow these with action…Yes, I’ll walk

this unknown path with you; pause and reach down,

grasp this fertile earth; listen and weigh talk;

value all we do together… show crowns

are signs of care... Sit with me now. Watch streams

of stars above. Kiss me. Whisper your dreams.

Roger Armbrust

October 4, 2013

HENRY PROPOSES TO LISBET

An honest king requires an honest heart.

You complete my heart. You, my dearest friend.

Will you stay my friend? Will you walk all parts

of this great land with me? Stay till the end?

Touch our peoples’ hearts? Clasp their caring hands?

What’s required of kings and queens only God

can measure: nurture how we serve, command,

consent, defend, preserve this precious sod;

work with all to benefit all as best

we attend. Will you be my queen…our queen?

My one lover? Discover what great quests

lie ahead? I vow this to you: to sow

love in all ways, in all ways help you grow.

Roger Armbrust

October 2, 2013