A Crushed Rose

O, beautiful rose , please tell me ,

For I would like to know ,

Why I must crush your petals

That the sweet perfume may flow ,

O , life that  is clothed in beauty

Perhaps like that wonderful rose

You will need to be crushed by  suffering

If the radiance of  your life must glow

A life that is crushed by sorrow

Can feel for another’s grief ,

And send out that fragrance of love

That will bring some heart relief ,

O , do not repine at your testing

When called to pass under the rod ;

For your life the sweeter will be

If blessed by the hand of God

Then let us rejoice when He sendeth

Some sorrow or hardship that tries

And be glad to be crushed as a rose leaf

That a sweeter perfume may arise.