Queen of Flowers

The red rose is queen of all flowers.

Her reign, a reflection of truth.

She rules not through extraordinary power

Neither greatest beauty

Nor sweetest perfume

She is not set apart from all other blossoms

Her skirt-blooms unfurl to the same touch of sun

Though green-stemmed and slender, she is not so graceful as the wind-blown wildflower

Not so fragrant as the breath of night jasmine

And her scalloped sleeve leaves conceal dark thorns

She is not the loveliest of all flowers,

But is most simple, most elegant.

Her silhouette is not lost in whorls and peaks

Her gentle spirals are well-loved by all eyes

Red and green, so striking a banner

Smell, delicate and deep