White Rose

by Katharine Lee Bates

White rose, white rose,
Thou that art
All my garden,
Walled, apart,
Grief my white rose,
Thorn in heart!

White rose, pale
As brooding star
Over Arden,
Where dreams are!
All shall fail
That is not far.

White rose, white rose,
No storms beat
On thy petals,
Blooming sweet,
Love my white rose,
At God's feet.

White rose, what
Is mortal fate,
Rain and nettles?
Roses wait.
Death is but
The garden gate.