Rigor Mortis For A Rose

This poem was inspired by a friend of mine. Given the subject of the poem, she will remain nameless. But this friend, seemed hell bent for a time, to date guys that she knew weren't any good for her. Whether it was physical attraction, or being a so-called "challenge," she dated guys that would continuously treat her poorly or screw around with other women at the same time they were seeing her. And after I always saying, "I told you so," in a not so subtle fashion, she must've tired of my somewhat brutal honesty. So she jokingly made a suggestion that I was jealous that she kept dating "losers" and not me. So to emphasize my disgust, I stopped talking to her. And one night, she sent me a text to tell me it happened again. And in turn, I wrote this poem. And for those wondering about the title... I watch a lot of forensic shows. After a person has died, their body enters a stage medical examiners refer to as a rigor mortis. It is a profound stiffening of the body into the position it was found in. So I felt it described the so-called "rose" I was writing about.

"Rigor Mortis For A Rose"
2011

I hear another welcomed chime
Ringing loudly in the air
But it's just another tale
From one not proudly in despair
But dear if only I had a dime
For each time I heard the news
I would be a millionaire
And you wouldn't have a cent to use
'Cause now the effects are setting in
As you wonder why you let him in
And I see you lying ever still
With nothing more than time to kill
And as the rose begins to wilt
I watch her world begin to tilt
And saying that I told you so
Is fast becoming apropos
But please don't take my certainty
As enjoyment in the least
'Cause you know I'd often beg
For you to make the madness cease
But it was thoughts of jealousy
That you said I did project
Now you're down upon your knees
And you see that I was correct
And now the effects are setting in
As you wonder why you let him in
And I see you lying ever still
With nothing more than time to kill
And as the rose begins to wilt
I watch her world begin to tilt
And saying that I told you so
Is fast becoming apropos
And now you sing that tired song
Still so soothing to my ears
Claiming you've escaped the state of mind
That's held you hostage all the years
That you've ever been interested
In giving men your better parts
And if I had to place a bet
I'd say that new tomorrow never starts
'Cause now the effects are setting in
As you wonder why you let him in
And I see you lying ever still
With nothing more than time to kill
And as the rose begins to wilt
I watch her world begin to tilt
And saying that I told you so
Is fast becoming apropos
You're standing there breathless
Showing motion what death is
And I wish I could save you
But pain has engraved you
And then you struck the pose
Known as rigor mortis for a rose
Now no one can move you
So they'll just remove you
Since your stem laced with thorns
Just couldn't face his horns
And the petals on the ground
Can show their way around
That broken, wretched state
They'd say is not too great
But to you it must be homely
'Cause all you've done is shown me
That the effects are setting in
As you wonder why you let him in
And I see you lying ever still
With nothing more than time to kill
And as the rose begins to wilt
I watch her world begin to tilt
And saying that I told you so
Is fast becoming apropos
So here comes a new day
I'll be on my way
But there is something to be said
Before I go
When the rain hits your face
And drowns all your grace
You can find comfort in the fact
I told you so...