By Any Other Name

If love could have a color, I suppose
it wouldn’t be just any common shade.
I’d name it for the colors of the rose.
In heaven’s hues this flower is arrayed!

From chaste love’s hush of pink to heady rush
that’s shown by cardinal or crimson red,
the rose reveals the grades of ardor’s blush
unto the time it’s thought that passion’s fled.

But in the tint of amaranth, the fire
endures; in purple deep it can transcend,
while yellow blooms in bliss that does not tire,
and white’s fidelity will have no end.

Though black the bud, a red will grow thereof.
By any other name, the rose is love.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Watt Avatar
June 14, 2020 at 7:20 PM
Congrats on your win today, my poetry sister! I didn't say this in my earlier comment, but this sonnet is in my favs. It's beautiful lika a rose from start to finish.
Watt Avatar
January 13, 2020 at 1:32 PM
Love this beautiful homage to your roses. Had to google amaranth to see what color it is... nice to learn a new word (and hue)! Enjoyed the personification of all the different rose tints and shades. Your poetic mind is as fertile as your garden! I like the reference to Romeo and Juliet in the title and last line - classy! (P.S. found this link on your facebook page)
May Avatar
April 1, 2017 at 2:57 PM
This is beautiful Andrea...it would've been nice for the ode contest...A7
Inman Avatar
November 10, 2015 at 3:18 PM
Beautiful Andrea, very nice sonnet. I don't have a favorite flower. There are too many gorgeous ones out there.
A  Avatar
November 10, 2015 at 11:52 AM
HA, I love the title, Andrea, Congratulations on your "Favorite Flower win." SKAT
Nunez Avatar
November 10, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Really beautiful sonnet on the rose, Andie. I see the famous Shakespeare reference. Loved this. Congrats! hugs!
Allison Avatar
November 9, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Dropping back again with my congrats Andrea:-) hugs Jan xx
Negron Flores Avatar
November 9, 2015 at 2:13 PM
Congratulations in your win
Meier-Hans Avatar
December 29, 2014 at 1:29 PM
Congratulations on your win Andrea. A beautiful Sonnet.
Thajudeen Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 3:56 AM
Congratulations dear poet Andrea. -Safa
A   Avatar
December 26, 2014 at 10:30 PM
ANDREA, CONGRATS ON THE AWESOME TOP WIN... LINDA
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 24, 2014 at 3:29 AM
Congratulations on this superb poem coming in first Andrea! It is truly lovely. Hugs, Connie
Chakrabarty Avatar
December 22, 2014 at 2:49 AM
Hi Andrea Great ! Love-rajat
Arowolo Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 2:03 PM
Lovely piece,dear friend....Congrats on your win..And Merry xmas in advance...
Parker Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 1:55 PM
Congratulations on your win, you forgot burnt orange, I have one climbing a trestel in my yard..congrats my poetic friend
Smith Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 10:25 AM
Outstanding! Love the thoughts, so beautifully conveyed.... Congrats on your top place win!!.. Hugs.. Arlene
Mehta Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 4:47 AM
Amazed and pleased to read about roses without its thorns, congrats on the win, Andrea
Nance Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 9:26 PM
Oh that is magnificent. Grats on your top win! :) loved this !
Callus Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 4:49 PM
What a lovely sonnet, Andrea! Love and roses are meant to live together eternally! Congratulations on placing first...yet again! // paul
Yvonne Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 3:49 PM
Congratulations on being on the very top of the list. Congratulations on your number 1 win!
Roper Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 3:14 PM
Congratulations on your win, Andrea, beautifully written. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and yours
Allison Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 2:04 PM
oh this is so so so beautiful many congrats:-) Hugs Jan xxx
Haight Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 1:40 PM
Andrea, congratulations on your top win for this lovely Sonnet! I shall remember the meaning of each color as you so beautifully expressed! Sandra
Yvonne Avatar
November 13, 2014 at 8:23 PM
love love love love this poem!
Brown Avatar
August 15, 2012 at 5:44 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved placement in P. D.'s "Rose Poems" contest Andrea.
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