A Rose Is A Rose


There was a time when my back yard garden was filled with roses growing wild, year after year, from the prior tenants planning and planting. But they were in a place I didn't think they should be, so I cut them down, year after year, and enjoyed them only briefly. For they didn't mean that much to me, except to remind me of a black rose I had once sketched in charcoal. How that black rose was indeed a thing of beauty to behold! It shown like a piece of sculptured dark velvet, touched only ever so lightly by the shining glows of reflecting light that gently and reverently caressed the peddles. But the sketch is long gone, and all that's left is a tender memory of a dream of something that truly wasn't, nor ever meant to be. Only in my mind does it now exist. I would have you know that I am older now, and like to fool myself in thinking that with some maturity, a little wisdom also comes my way. I now have learned to leave a thing of beauty be in its own space and enjoy it there instead of rearranging it to suit my fancy.

Let me go on to say that in that time for lessons, I came to love the color yellow a wee better on a rose. As red in its own beauty, suggests a deeper thought that I might meditate on too long, and miss the moment that is present now. And, yellow, a lighter feeling more congenial color with which I find myself most happy in being. One yellow rose can brighten up the saddest, dullest, deadest room and breathe it life. No, I'm not sold on many roses bringing love to a man when he presents these to a woman. No, I don't consider for one moment either that roses can get you love. Instead, I do believe two could discover love together within the sharing of the rose. It comes with enjoying the sharing of a thing of beauty that both well know they never could truly own. And in that sharing could love grow? I would like to think so! I have long ago turned off my thoughts to other's sales pitches that would declare the mystery of love might come to light if only one would shower their loved-one-to-be with dozens upon dozens of these wonder-filled things. I'll profess this louder than all the ads you'll ever hear or see; it only takes one rose to set love free; free to weave its magic around those who gaze upon it in wonder of its beauty.

It's truly odd that once I looked at this same rose and saw almost nothing when it was one among many. Upon looking deeper now into its singular unique qualities, it begins unfolding for what it actually is, and reveals its total self to me. When one speaks "a rose is a rose;" those are the times their sight is blinded and they can't see the forest for the trees. It's then, that I suggest they take one large step back, re-focus on what it is they seek, and in that focusing there comes to view once more this singular rose to be enjoyed and shared. Most important, keep in mind that it's in the sharing of the moment that all things flourish, and it's in the uniqueness of this one singular rose that we can view the beauty not found in the mass of dozens. This would be one of those times indeed when too much of a good thing could spoil the beauty of it all.

You'll usually find one yellow rose in my living room on the coffee table or on my desk at the office for all to enjoy. Because of this, some friends have come to associate what pleases my heart and soul with this lovely yellow flower. And on occasion, when I might be sick or even for no reason at all other than to share with me, one yellow rose finds its way to me and once again the movement of love begins to flourish and grow in the sharing.

So indeed what an advertising person might plant as seed into your thoughts about the need for many roses to "get you love and happiness," I still proclaim it takes but the sharing of one single rose to unleash some of the miracles of life and love. In much the same way as when it's gazed upon each day and the peddles slowly unfold to reveal all wondrous things of life. Oh, but I do ramble on! Now it may sound as if I'm obsessed with this one singular flower, but I say no, I'm just very much in awe of what is to behold when gazing on it's beauty. All these thoughts and feelings that then unfold are what truly cheer me up when I gaze upon one lovely yellow rose.