~ms~

The Canyon Rose

Along the Colorado in the little canyon town
Grew a rose whose roots came 'cross the plains
And spread both up and down.

The stalwart women brought the rose,
wrapped in tender fear...
In handcarts from their Eastern homes
And planted them out here.

The desert sun took a toll
Of life and strength and heart
Tiny graves along the way
Still held the better part.

When hearts were down and sorrow came
The Spring plants brought new light
Those little yellow roses grew
They wouldn't quit in this fight.

A fragile gift, a tender word
Made bright the eyes, grown dim
And even on the little graves
They still remembered HIM.

For across the prairies, all those miles
Those little rose-starts grew--
Brought hope to pioneer women
And held their hearts so true.

The desert rose soon decked the posts
The cabins boasted more
The sight of that small gift from God
Lightened work and many a chore.

Still in that arid climate
You'd not expect to see
The pioneer woman's gift for us
Spreading on the lea.

It's growing still along the trail
From East to sandstone west.
Our desert yellow rose still stays
And shows she withstands the test.

Lurell Bailey
9:30pm
23 Jun 2015