In a grotto of the farthest north
A roseate light glows
Flowering amidst desolate stone
A crystalline red rose

Begotten from a goddess' tears
Shed from high above
Within those perfect scarlet blooms
Lies the seed of all love

Holds every secret heartfelt wish
In it's pellucid gleam
Holds the truth and holds the light
And every romantics dream

The rose is cursed to bear the weight
Of every tragedy borne
Of every selfless sacrifice
Of every true love mourned

With every tear a lover weeps
A petal falls to the ground
To land upon unyielding earth
And smash without a sound

If we can never stem the tide
Of bitter tears we cry
If true love cannot triumph then
The rose will surely die

Far north of this grieving sphere
Petals fall like rain
Until at last in sympathy
The goddess weeps again

written for 'Crystal Rose' Shannon, my beloved.