Hellebores - Legend of the Winter/Christmas Rose
Poetry that comes from the writer's heart of things she has seen or come to know about, sharing what that heart has learned.
Some Poems Write Themselves
These flowers grow in the south and central Europe and are very poisonous to eat. They are said to put out peaceful and calming vibes. Generally I brush off sayings such as these but without understanding why I fell in love with this beautiful flower I found in North Carolina at a little place called Tanglewood. It seemed so magical I knew it had to have a story.
I did find all I could out about the flower which made the words begin to flow.
Once it was written I had to wonder if the flower maybe whispered its mystery in my ear.
I like to think so.
Christmas Rose
The Winter Rose - A Poem
Legends of Hellebore go deep to ancient days
With power of good and evil in its vein
This flower used for many ails and illness
And also tried by royalty in their reign
Was this the cause of death to kings
Like Alexander the Great many do say
He took a bit too much of a good thing,
like others, that was his last ruling day
Hippocrates it is said, used this plant to purge
Was this the cleanser way back then
Did they believe it cleansed their bowel
And perhaps it took away their sin?
Life and Death to Kings
For it was often used for mental illness
In witchcraft rituals to summon demons out
Calling on the angels of darkness
For those misfortunates who went that route
Melampus of Pylos helped King Argos
Give this to his daughters he did meet
Screaming and crying with madness
And running naked through the street!
Yet from all these tales and legends
About this potent lovely flower
One stands out to me above all
In this fragrant beauty's power
The Legend That Stands Out
It is the story of a young girl child
And the Christ baby Jesus she sees
But with no gift at all to give Him
She falls down sadly to her knees
She says how very sorry she is
that she has nothing for a gift
She then begins to cry out loud
and her head, she can no longer lift
So down on her knees in the snow
Where her pouring hot tears flows
The puddle begins to warm the ground
Where then sprouts... the “Christmas Rose"
Hellebores - The Christmas Rose
© 2022 Jackie Lynnley
