Beauty's Garden

* Changing things up a bit this time around... Instead of using one of my own photos for this post, I am fiction-riffing in response to a painting called "The Turret Stairs" by Frederic Burton, as a part of a book giveaway challenge over at "The Merry Sisters of Fate." * 

~ Beauty’s Garden ~

Is it the scent of lavender

That enchants you so, dear prince?

Eyes bright after your briar bashing

Success in the labyrinth of thorns and now,

Yes now you've finally met

The girl with poisoned-apple colored lips.

Does the rosemary help you remember?

Strains of first true love,

Long forgotten songs,

The sea and stars vying for your attention

In a night of wonder when you first

Put your foot upon this road…

Or is it the thyme, sweet thyme,

That hints upon the magic

In this place full of possibilities where

Blissful flora and a beautiful face

Seduce your senses, fuels

The shape of your desire...

The roses charmed you, no doubt,

Soft as sleeping skin, daisy chains and

Pale breast blushing invitations

Of young love pure and

Intoxicating eternal bliss that’s

Yours for the taking. So.

You stand surrounded by Eden’s splendor

Finer than your wildest dreams,

The crushed scent of fragile orchids and

The pleasure jasmine’s promised plunder;

Both girl and garden. Enough

Beauty to fill a thousand lifetimes. But oh,

Dear Prince, beware the foxglove.