How Roses Came Red

There once was a garden where roses grew,

White as the lilies, so fresh and fair,

And they loved the sun, and they loved the dew,

And loved to swing in the Summer air.

But time went along till the day was done,

The sun went sleepily down in the west;

And the roses cried, as they saw him go:

"Oh, stay with us, sun, for we love you best."

So there stayed a while with the coming night,

Sweet flushes of light that would softly press

A kiss on the lips of those roses white,

Till their leaves blushed red at the sweet caress.

Edric Vredenburg