Strawberry Cream and Rose Petals

On a country walk

through a hillside town

I found the red roses

as I was strolling around.

At first,

I just took a photograph

as I looked at the mass

of beautiful flowers

and thought to keep going

as I’d been walking for hours.

But the rose

gestured to me,

come closer and see

the heart of my colour

is like no other

symbol of romantic love

and yet,

you see,

more in me.

What I see

when I look at you

is a glorious full bloom

with a golden centre

and that is unusual

and stepping aside

from the symbol of roses

that flows on the tide

of passion and joy

and the romance of Spring

this bright colour

may also bring

more to each day

in a universal way,

that helps us to find

a sharing of minds.

I will go further

and express even more,

the depth of brotherhood

we all could explore.

Would we share with a stranger

our soup on the stove,

would we walk one mile further

to show that we care

there are people around

who feel lonely and lost,

will we take them a rose

to help them to find

more examples that locals

may also be kind.

So as I go along

on this ‘Neighbour Day’

I have greeted three strangers

in a friendly way……

The schoolgirl with the smile

and homework to do,

the boy on the bicycle

who was exuberant too,

and the lady in sneakers

out walking her road,

she’s almost home

and is now somewhat tired,

but still, very cheerful

to see me in town

and perhaps ‘the Friday feeling’

was dancing around.

So Red Rose

will go

into a beautiful vase

and sit on my desk

as a tribute to

the smiles of strangers

the strength of ‘Hello’

the sunshine this day

and Spring flowering displays.

So I have fresh strawberries

to serve with rose petals,

having just had a coffee

in the Red Door Food Store

where I copied a recipe

from the High Tea Cookbook……

it was for Strawberry Cream

and delightful it looked,

so delighted I will be

to serve it with scones

and a cup of black tea.

So let’s enjoy

life as it is

the simple pleasures

are serendipitous gifts

to widen our smile

and surely uplift

small encounters

on little adventures

through the path of this day

and my pleasure to see

Rose’s beautiful display.

(Written with a single red rose whilst walking in Balhannah, South Australia on October 25, 2013)