One rose does not a garden make
One blow does not a spirit break,
One wall does not a boundary build
One task marks not a craftsman skilled.
One tear cannot a river fill
Nor silence can a heartbeat still.
One hope that’s dashed against a wall
Can’t will a mind to halt or fall.
One plan that dies before its birth
Can’t cloud a life and all it’s worth.
One fear does not a coward curse
Nor anger sharpen speaker terse.
One wish does not a dreamer hail
One song creates no nightingale.
One thought that carries on its breath
One psalm to lift the pall of death
May gift to all of those that stay
Some glimpse of but another way.
Ideals are part of poet’s dreams
And linger long past use, it seems.
“ Farewell” need not make friendship bend
While death can’t force real love to end.
Claire V. Bogdanos 