Wild Rose

(A Restatement of Coleman Barks’ Wild Rose of Praise)

Those unable to grieve

are a vacant wind;

Those unable to speak their love

are as cold as hammered steel;

Those who are ungrateful

are frightened of themselves;

and those who cannot remember God

have grown older than the hills.

Say the name, O wild rose,

speak the unpronounceable;

Moisten your lips, move your tongue

and praise the indescribable;

Utter the words of every spring

waking the divine;

Open your mouth, O wild rose,

and reveal your hidden gold.