< A White Rose <

A WHITE ROSE

by: John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890)

      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 rose bud
      With a flush on its petal tips;
      For the love that is purest and sweetest
      Has a kiss of desire on the lips.