It stands in a crystal vase on the table. Red petals press tightly into a bud collared by green leaves. Such true colors are usually confined to the artificial realm of plastics. But a faint fragrance, a soft velvety touch, and yes, even a thorn attest to its presence.
On this occasion, it announces the birth a new life - someone’s babe, someone’s grandchild. As the bud blooms, it will remind parents and grandparents, friends and strangers that the new life so honored must be carefully nurtured in order for it to mature and blossom with equal beauty.
At other times, the single rose is given in appreciation for a kind act or loving thought. As it change from bud to flower, the recipient learns anew that thoughtfulness breeds thoughtfulness. For such a gift makes one reach out to share the good feelings building up within.
And roses are for lovers. Be it one or a dozen, the lovelies of the extravagant rose convey messages of love.
A recipient, fingering gently the bloom, says that when the red fades and the petals fall, she makes a pomander from them in order to savor the meaning indefinitely. But even when the aroma is no more, the memory with remain. It is etched indelibly on the soul.
One lone rose - it’s like all others, yet exquisitely perfect in its singleness, reason enough for being. And when a person plucks one rose and offers it, for whatever the reason, to another, the very act of giving and receiving again honors life - common to us all, unique in each one.
1979
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