Hi everyone,
I wanted to share this with the babes and debated where to put this, but decided here was the more homey place. It is a short story done from a photo of our lovely Urs. Thanks to my Sis, Natty too.
The Rose
“I’m trying to stand tall, be graceful, as my reputation requires, and yet, I just don’t feel up to the task. Why me? What did I do to deserve having most of my leaves taken from me? Ok, the thorns, I can see, but my beautiful leaves? How am I supposed to eat with just a few of my leaves left? Granted I am trying to stay slim, kind of like the human that is holding me…but still…” the rose sighed heavily. The four gentlemen of Il Divo continue to sing their signature finale song, “My Way” (A Mi Manera), changing between Italian and English, enthralling the audience. “Well, at least his fingers are warm. Goodness, these lights are hot. I’m going to be wilting in no time if I don’t get a drink soon.” The slender rose glanced down his naked stem. “Oh dear, no roots either…ok, think… think… this is not the time to panic.” Woefully, the rose glanced around trying to adjust to the lights as well as the heat. “…lets see… water… oh, over there is a glass of clear stuff, looks like water to me. Now, how to get this human to move in that direction? I seriously doubt he speaks Rose, but, I’ll give it a try.”
Urs Buhler, lyrical tenor for Il Divo, glanced down at the shadows in the front row of the arena, hoping to see a familiar face. His dark brown eyes had acclimated to the stage lights during their first number. He continued counting the beats in his head, waiting for his next line to complete their finale, rose poised gently in his hand. As he did, he felt an odd sensation run across his index finger. He took a quick glance, thinking they had finally turned on the air conditioning. “Thank God, I’m about to wilt in my Armani. Mental note to self, we need lighter clothes on stage or I’ve got to figure out a way to stay cooler. It won’t do to look like I’ve just completed a workout at the gym in front of all these people. They aren’t here to see me sweat; they are here to listen to us sing.” Urs thought as he listened for his cue.
The crew was preparing for the paper rose petal cannon blast that would signal the end of the concert once the final words were sung. The air flow had to be just right to provide the shower effect they wanted. Through their earpieces, both Urs and Sebastien could hear the voices from the stage crew, as well as the music without the feedback. Urs was used to ignoring the crew’s voices, concentrating on the music.
“Well, that didn’t work.” The rose grumbled. “Ignorant human… I knew I should not have left the garden this morning. My mother always said, stand up straight… be proud of who and what you are…blah, blah, blah… What good does that do me now? Nothing… zip… zero… zilch! Ok, maybe if I don’t think about being thirsty. Nice jacket that human is wearing.” The rose was getting desperate for any kind of diversion. “Hmm what’s this? Oh, the human is getting warm too. It is salty, but, a rose must do what a rose must do.” The rose tasted the light moisture from Urs’ hand again. “Ok, I think I’m good for now…too much salt is not good for the stem.” The rose glanced up at Urs and waited patiently, quietly humming along with the song. “I hope I am given to someone with a nice vase. Someone who will take care of me, after all I am the universal symbol of love.” The rose glanced around the stage warily. “Oh, I see some of my neighbors here. Pssst, hey… how are ya doing over there? Do you have anything to drink on your side, buddy?” The rose giggled softly. “..BUD-dy… get it? Sorry, it is an inside joke to us roses. I would blush, but I’m red already. Ha!”
On stage, the four Divos continued to sing, each making their way to the edge of the stage, continuing to enjoin their voices in bold, operatic harmony for the final verse. “Oh my goodness, it is raining red… no white… no both… what is this?” The rose scanned the stage, trying to determine what was happening”… Brothers… sisters… Oh what is happening? Petals… rose petals… my dear friends… neighbors…comrades…” The rose wailed before glaring at the men on stage. “How could you? You… you… beasts… brutes… of all of the inhumanities! Is that all we are to you – mere things to be torn apart for your pleasure? How dare you!” The rose was becoming indignant, but stood his ground. “No wonder you took my thorns… cowards all of you. Humans! My father said, never trust a human… and did I listen? Noooooooo… I had to be a wise guy. What goes around does come around. Dad was right. Ok… pull yourself together… it isn’t the end of the world. Betty… is that you? Sally… Drake… Charlie…Oh the nerve of some people…” The rose quietly mourned those he thought he recognized in the petal shower. Before he could regain his self control, Urs gently tossed him into the crowd. The rose could hear the applause; see the hands reaching for him, yet missing him as he floated toward the looming darkness. “I guess this is the end. Not what I expected, but, it is what it is. Tossed aside, unwanted… thirsty… all but leafless… who would want me now? The human was right to throw me away. What use am I now to anyone? Oh, there is a nice hand. Maybe… nope, ok, this one… nope, ok… somebody… anybody… please, just please don’t squish me…” Suddenly, a warm gentle hand wrapped around the rose’s stem. “Oh, you seem nice.” The rose scanned the smiling face nervously, thinking. “Ok, give her a second… be patient, then, ask for a drink, nicely.”
Natty smiled warmly, holding the rose Urs had tossed her way. She glanced up in time to see his smile, pleased she had caught it. The rose petal shower had ended. Some of the fans busily gathered a few of the petals to keep as a souvenir of the concert. Those that were not gathering the rose petals continued to applaud, as the group took another bow and thanked everyone. A moment later, Il Divo disappeared backstage as the orchestra played a medley of the songs performed during the concert. Soon, the houselights came up and the crowd slowly began to exit the arena.
As Natty gathered her things, she thought about the rose, checking it carefully. “You poor thing…lets get you a drink.” She scanned the crowded arena, looking for a quick exit. Her eyes stopped, focusing on a poorly lit exit sign. Quietly, she whispered to her friends that she would meet them in the parking lot. A moment later, she made her way through the crowd to the darkened hallway. Fumbling a moment, she wandered down the hall away from the crowd. Just as she thought she would have to turn back, she spotted a vending machine. Checking the options, she smiled, glancing to the rose in her hand. “Let’s just hope I have change.” She whispered to the rose, as she reached into her purse. A moment later, she pulled the DaSani bottle out of the machine and untwisted the cap. “Cheers…” she whispered as she slid the rose’s stem into the chilled water. “I hope it isn’t too cold for you.”
“Geez! What is it you humans have with ice cold water? Oh but it does feel good. I was so thirsty too.” The rose settled in, taking a slow, long drink. “I had a feeling you could speak Rose.” He smiled warmly at her, feeling his petals plump up. “Ok, I know you want to… go ahead and sniff me.” He waited patiently. Natty adjusted the purse slung across her shoulder and turned around, staring in the darkness, as the sound of footsteps neared.
“Good evening Miss. May I help you?” Urs appeared from the shadows. “Good evening Urs. I just need to find an exit to the parking lot. Thanks for the rose.” Natty blushed, as she held up the water bottle with the rose. Urs smiled warmly. “You’re welcome, my pleasure. Thank you for coming to the show. Follow this hallway to the end, turn left and go through the second door. That will take you to the B side parking lot. Will you be ok from there?” Natty nodded, watching Urs turn and walk back into the darkness. A few minutes later, Natty was staring at the stars in the evening sky before looking around for her friends. The rose followed her glance warmly. “Thanks big guy in the sky. Dad, see… there are some nice humans out there. Some days, I just love my job.”
Kisses to all!
