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Brief: Blue Roses

A girl returned to school--still not quite well.
A classmate queried, "What's been wrong with you?"
She was so timid but at last could tell
the boy "Pleurosis." He exclaimed, "That's new.
I've never heard of roses that are blue!"


pleurosis--more commonly termed pleurisy, an inflammation of the lungs

The "blue rose" does not exist in nature; it is a rare hybrid. Not even through 
genetic engineering are scientists able to produce a truly blue rose.

In the Tennessee Williams play, The Glass Menagerie, Laura said she had
pleurosis. Jim thought she said "Blue roses."


July 2, 2017, entered in Kim's (Kim Rodrigues) Color Splash Contest

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Jan Allison

Date: 7/15/2017 12:47:00 PM

dropping back with my congrats Janice:-) hugs Jan xx

Alyssa Lorette

Date: 7/15/2017 11:36:00 AM

Hey, I'm coming to this poem again to congratulate you for getting 10th place! :)

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/15/2017 11:57:00 AM

Thanks so much, Alyssa! Janice

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/14/2017 9:10:00 PM

Janice, I loved this! I saw The Glass Menagerie many many years ago on broadway starring Maureen Stapleton. You touched my heart with this one. Terrific win, Janice! <3

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/15/2017 8:26:00 AM

Kim, thank you so much, for sponsoring the contest and for placing my poem. I'm glad you liked it! Janice

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/12/2017 3:16:00 PM

Yes, Janice, I do that too , researching topics for poems. It's so helpful!

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/12/2017 4:22:00 PM

It surely is. Janice

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/6/2017 11:58:00 AM

Awesome that you found the hybrids!!

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/6/2017 12:06:00 PM

I am learning a lot from being on this site. Sometimes I research a prompt topic. Then, win or lose, I've learned something! Janice

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/4/2017 12:35:00 AM

I am glad you explained that one out, Its been so long since I saw that play,I do not even recall that line! Very creative thinking! I love the "idea" of blue rose and though there is no such thing,they have a purple looking one (maybe lavender type color) that I planted and its name is blue rose! I just love it among my red ones though it's not a blue blue color.

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/4/2017 8:24:00 AM

Andrea, thank you so much. When I saw the prompt, I thought of the play and "blue roses." When I looked up "blue rose," I was amazed to find numerous references to that play, along with refs to the actual hybrid flower. Happy Fourth! Janice

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 7/3/2017 7:52:00 PM

This is wonderful ... love it! A great example of how our words are often misinterpreted, but also that SOMEtimes those misunderstandings can yield beautiful things, sometimes much more beautiful than what was originally intended. Love it! :-)

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/3/2017 8:14:00 PM

Greg, thank you. I'm so glad you liked it! Janice

Alyssa Lorette

Date: 7/3/2017 4:31:00 PM

What a creative piece, Janice! Good luck in the contest. :)

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/3/2017 4:47:00 PM

Alyssa, thank you so much! Janice