The Sick Rose

Blake’s short poem from Songs of Experience addressed to a rose that is being destroyed by an invisible worm.

O rose thou art sick.The invisible worm,That flies in the nightIn the howling storm:

Has found out thy bedOf crimson joy:And his dark secret loveDoes thy life destroy.

Famous lines

• O rose thou art sick.
  The invisible worm,
  That flies in the night
  In the howling storm:
  Has found out thy bed
  Of crimson joy:
  And his dark secret love
  Does thy life destroy.

  In context

  • Life & Death
  • Love