LONELY LOUISE A poem from Gary Craig A heart once scarred, a spirit low, Louise, a rose in winter's snow. Abused, neglected, bullied's sting, Left her with shadows, a fragile thing. No friends to share, no laughter's gleam, Alone she lived, a lonely dream. 'Not good enough,' a whispered plea, Fear of rejection, a haunting decree. Yet in her garden, solace she found, Roses blooming, on fertile ground. A miracle bloomed, a single seed, A vibrant rose, a heart's need. Each blossom held a promise sweet, Of beauty, fragrance, a life complete. With tender care, her garden grew, More roses than she could ever accrue. But shy Louise, with heart so frail, Feared to share, her love to unveil. So under cover, in the night's embrace, She left a rose, on each neighbor's space. A simple gesture, a silent plea, To bridge the gap, to set her free. And as the roses, bright and bold, Unfurled their petals, stories untold. Kindness bloomed, in each neighbor's soul, A rose received, made them whole. They sought the source, the giving hand, And found Louise, in her lonely land. With open arms, they welcomed her in, A friendship blossomed, a love to begin. No longer lonely, her heart took flight, Abundant friends, bathed in love's light. The rose's seed, a symbol so true, Of shared kindness, a love anew. The neighbors, inspired, followed suit, With gardens bursting, fruits and root. Strawberries, cucumbers, carrots bright, Shared with neighbors, day and night. A ripple effect, a love so grand, Bound them together, hand in hand. Once a lonely soul, now embraced with grace, Louise found friendship, in her garden's space. For in the giving, in the simple act, Of sharing blooms, her spirit was intact. And in the warmth of a neighbor's smile, Louise discovered, love's sweet style. A lesson learned, in every bloom, That kindness conquers, dispelling gloom. | 