A Rose

A rose.  A single flower on a somewhat unadorned stem stands alone in a garden.  The bed surrounding it is covered in a carpet of colour and fragrances, but the rose; the rose always draws the eye of the passerby.

What is it about the rose?  Is there something more beautiful, unique about it that causes man and woman alike to be drawn to it?  It has petals, stamen, stem, leaves, thorns and roots.  All other flowers have all of these – except the thorns.  Are we drawn by the thorns?  I would hardly think so, if anything we woulde be deterred by the thorns for there is nothing attractive about them and they hurt!  Bending over to get a whiff of the aroma, reaching with hand to grasp the stem and still the swaying of the rose from the breeze, if not careful your fingers will readily find the thorns and draw an exhaling cry from your lips, instead of the deep inhaling of the aroma of the rose.

But, the rose has been written about since eternity began – whenever that might be.  It’s mentioned in the Torah/Bible.  We hear of the Rose of Sharon.  And there are songs about roses; thinking of Bette Midler’s song “The Rose” which was a movie as well.

Is what draws us, what draws me to the rose the simple fact that it is symbolic of love, warmth, gentleness…the good things of life that every human seeks?

Whatever it may be, the rose is beautiful and if it is symbolic of love, then I share my love with you in this simple rose.