Ode to the Rose

 

Ode to the Rose

Come, let us talk of the perennial flowering from a family

of thousands of cultivars; forms and shapes

so strikingly dissimilar that as we gained

familiarity with its form,

subdivisions were required for

a diversity unparalleled—

where evolutionary biologists

to this day attempt to answer how

such evolved fruit so contrastingly—

peaches, plums, cherries, berries and more—

from the Latin rosa, through the Persian to the Vedic;

native around the globe, its significance in our cultures

pervades, like its scent,

the vast majority of our societies.

Leaves borne alternately and pinnate—

leaflets and stipules in serrated margin;

mostly five petaled, some only four;

divided into lobes, sepals beneath petals,

appearing as green points.

All parts edible raw and flush with Vitamin C,

sometimes into jellies, jams, or syrups for tea;

a distinctive flavor used in the world’s cuisine,

candied or turned into creams for confectionery;

used as medicine and in practices of spirituality;

volatile ingredients pressed for

so intimate products as cosmetics;

or used for landscape, hedging and utility—

or simply the commercial cut crop, kept cool

until ready for display at point of sale;

the name artists know can be found in the rack

or on the shelf—the tint and shade of blood

from a goddess.

Dating to the Late Eocene to first encounter in Mesopotamia,

its hip with its hundred and fifty or so seeds,

eaten by birds and dispersed, where today's

originate from the Old Blush of 18th-century Asia,

and since patronized by an empress from Europe,

propagating collections now becoming innumerable. 

Where gods and goddesses protect the bodies of heroes

with its immortal oil, bedding them among blossoms,

or instructing those transformed to beasts

to eat its petals to regain their humanity—

ancient history become symbol:

Beauty, bliss, joy, pleasure, love, life, and elegance;

praise, prayer, pride, secrecy, and silence;

wine, wisdom, woman, and worldly success;

charity, martyrdom, mercy, victory and love divine;

“I am true; love me, and you’ll discover it—

yours, heart and soul,” it says

in exchanges on St. Valentine’s Day.

Grace, desire, pure and inclined to love; hope, promise,

reward of virtue, and secret to immortality;

blissful soul, heavenly joy, rejoice of faith;

from the fingers of the dawn goddess

to knowledge and law;

signifying truth to Buddha.

Window to eternity, are we worthy of you?

A new day, and your best look still

inspires us to be our best.