www.eldritchdark.com Rosa Mystica Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961) The secret rose we vainly dream to find Was blown in grey Atlantis long ago, Or in old summers of the realms of snow Its attar lulled the pole-arisen wind; Or once its broad and breathless petals pined In gardens of Persepolis, aglow With fiery-sworded sunlight and the slow Red waves of sand, invincible and blind. On orient isles or isles hesperian, Through mystic days ere mortal time began, It flowered above the ever-flowering foam; Or, legendless, in lands of yesteryear, It flamed among the violets—near, how near To unenchanted fields and hills of home !