Silent sun-eyed maiden
Warrior in the shade
Your hands are skilled with battle
Your heart is still afraid.

You see him in the market
She dances on the sand
You know yourself enchanted–
Your heart knows no command.

His every move is glory
Her every move is grace
You do not flinch from corpses–
But now you hide your face.

Kneeling at the altar
Where two transform to one
You pray to change a heart
And be no more alone.

She who cares for roses
Perceives you where you pray
Her Lord sees your confusion
Beneath the light of day.

Though you hear no answer
She knows your whispered prayer
And speaks your loved one’s name–
A heart may wake to care.

Take love’s petalled symbol
And seek the one you’d know
With courage in your actions
When love at last you show.

And he may scorn your wishes–
And she may turn away–
But if you keep your silence,
A higher price you’ll pay.

If silence is your watchword
Reproach you’ll never hear–
But one whose soul’s more brave than yours
May draw your loved one near.

And if your hopes are ashes
That She cannot repair–
Remember, in your anguish,
The Lady Rose is there.

In the darkest shadow
Or lost beneath the sun
If you have sought Her altar
Be sure, thy heart is known.

Even in rejection
When you feel most alone
You may find love tomorrow–
Be sure, thy heart is known.