The Sick Rose

About the Poem: In this poem, the rose is this goregous flower but has recently been infected by a worm that flies in the night.
The rose used to be beautiful but since the worm has come, it has eaten up the parts of the rose.
“Does thy life destroy” means that the rose is no longer this beautiful flower it has been infected and diseased by this worm that has been feasting on this rose.

The Sick Rose
William Blake

O Rose, thou art sick.
The invisible worm
That flies in the night
In the howling storm

Has found out thy bed
Of criminson joy,
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy