The Seasons

by Alan Harnum - harnums@thekeep.org

Utena and its characters belongs to Be-PaPas, Chiho Saito, 
Shogakukan, Shokaku Iinkai and TV Tokyo.

When spring dawned I was prince of roses
Rose without thorns, rose that blooms in rich soil
Where the sun hangs, where the shingles wound the sea.

In summer's haze a million thorns bloomed
Rose red, blood red, cruel iron stained
My pale rose birthed a darker twin, a blossom to bloom
In shadow, in moonlight, in salt-sea caverns where 
  the voices echo.
  
Fall's fires burned, and I became a poppy prince
Lord over lotos-eaters and Bacchae
We sang dark dithyrambs and ate of my petals.

Now winter comes like the fall of angels
Oh, eternal rose, I wish for spring again
I am prince of lilies now, insensate;
Does snow or tears adorn my cheeks?