St. Rose of Lima
Feast Day: August 23

St. Rose was named
Isabel
(married to myself)
but she was such a beautiful baby
that her impoverished family considered her
their
greatest treasure
and called her Rose
(white, rose red)
she refused to marry because she wanted to give
herself
to God - in fact,
Rose became so concerned
that she rubbed pepper on her face until her skin was blistered,
dressed in rough clothing, and cut of her hair
(let her locks down the tower scratched his eyes out with thorns)
so no one would be tempted by her and so she would not succumb
to vanity. Rose worked at embroidery
(mirror in the hall - pricked her finger, blood on snow white linen)
and needlework to help support her family,
even when she would rather have been
praying. She sold her delicate creations
(he saw her under the glass and fell in love)
and gave her family all of the money.