One Perfect Rose
by Dorothy Parker
A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet--
One perfect rose.
I knew the language of the floweret;
"My fragile leaves," it said, "his heart enclose."
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.
Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.
I remember well reading this as a senior in high school. I was reminded of it today because I happened to listen to it set to music. I liked the poem in high school, although maybe not totally for the reasons the author intended.
My thoughts upon reading this poem immediately turned to the Bible. God, in His love for His people Israel, and for the rest of the world, sent us His "Perfect Rose." So tender, so easily crushed. And in response? His people said, in essence, "Well, thanks God, I guess that's nice, but we were sort of looking for a rough and tough warrior to save us from Rome. Don't you have anything better? More useful?" And they carelessly tossed the Rose aside, and it was trampled under foot.
The same is true still today. "God, I know you say you love me, but really, couldn't you send me a gift that's a little more useful? A gift that I want? You keep the rose, I'll take the limousine." We distrust His goodness and His omniscience and think we know better than He does what we need.
Back to the actual poem, it is a funny poem, and always makes me smile a little. On the other hand, though, it always makes me a little sad because it reminds me of the inherit selfishness and sinfulness of human nature. Lord help us learn to be grateful for the gifts you send, whatever they are.
by Dorothy Parker
A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet--
One perfect rose.
I knew the language of the floweret;
"My fragile leaves," it said, "his heart enclose."
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.
Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.
I remember well reading this as a senior in high school. I was reminded of it today because I happened to listen to it set to music. I liked the poem in high school, although maybe not totally for the reasons the author intended.
My thoughts upon reading this poem immediately turned to the Bible. God, in His love for His people Israel, and for the rest of the world, sent us His "Perfect Rose." So tender, so easily crushed. And in response? His people said, in essence, "Well, thanks God, I guess that's nice, but we were sort of looking for a rough and tough warrior to save us from Rome. Don't you have anything better? More useful?" And they carelessly tossed the Rose aside, and it was trampled under foot.
The same is true still today. "God, I know you say you love me, but really, couldn't you send me a gift that's a little more useful? A gift that I want? You keep the rose, I'll take the limousine." We distrust His goodness and His omniscience and think we know better than He does what we need.
Back to the actual poem, it is a funny poem, and always makes me smile a little. On the other hand, though, it always makes me a little sad because it reminds me of the inherit selfishness and sinfulness of human nature. Lord help us learn to be grateful for the gifts you send, whatever they are.
2 comments:
You have a beautiful way to interpret the poem! It's not likely that the author had the same thought while writing this, but maybe she/he would agree totally with you.
Thanks, Anh. I'm sure that it is totally not what the author intended while writing it, but oh well. Maybe she would agree.
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