A White Rose

John Boyle O'Reilly

1844 to 1890

Poem Image

The red rose whispers of passion, 
And the white rose breathes of love;
Oh, the red rose is a falcon, 
And the white rose is a dove. 

But I send you a cream-white rosebud 
With a flush on its petal tips; 
For the love that is purest and sweetest 
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.