Ode to 'Hope'

A battered Soul of floundering failure
trudging tiredly through mud of gloom
his feet bare with disappointment 
and heart in shreds of bitterness strewn 

In a field of disillusioned broken glass
he laid his head to rest
and imagined a love to be
or desired more no lest

With a sky of darkest hue
and clouds of hope so faint
pitying rain to dilute despondent tears
a bleak picture here to paint

Though not far from his reach
through shards a Rose had grown
and with bleeding fingers stretched
picked the bud from nature sown

Cautious and fearful was his clutch
yet yearning dulled the pain
and fortune favours a brave heart
never to give up was his gain

A shy maiden witnessed his plight
she tended his hands so cut and sore
he gave her the Rose of his 'Love'
and to her heart she held it evermore