Poetry & Analysis
Wild Rose Poems About Friendship
Nature PoemsLove and Friendship
Love is like the wild rose-briar;
Friendship like the holly-tree.
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?
The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again,
And who will call the wild-briar fair!
Then, scorn the silly rose-wreath now,
And deck thee with the holly’s sheen,
That, when December blights thy brow,
He still may leave thy garland green.
Overview Short Summary
Love is compared with a fragrant wild rose, while friendship is compared with evergreen holly. The rose is more attractive in summer, but the holly remains when winter arrives.
Interpretation Central Contrast
The rose represents romantic love that can be beautiful but temporary. Holly represents friendship whose value becomes clearest during difficult seasons.
A Rose
A sepal, petal, and a thorn
Upon a common summer’s morn—
A flask of Dew—A Bee or two—
A Breeze—a caper in the trees—
And I’m a Rose!
Overview Short Summary
The poem builds a rose from a few ordinary natural elements: sepal, petal, thorn, dew, bees, breeze, and summer morning.
Poetic Form Structure and Effect
The compact list moves quickly toward the joyful final declaration. The poem makes the creation of a rose feel spontaneous and playful.
Roses
You love the roses—so do I. I wish
The sky would rain down roses, as they rain
From off the shaken bush. Why will it not?
Then all the valley would be pink and white
And soft to tread on. They would fall as light
As feathers, smelling sweet; and it would be
Like sleeping and like waking, all at once!
Overview Short Summary
The speaker imagines a valley covered by roses falling from the sky. Their color, softness, and fragrance create a scene between dream and waking life.
Literary Technique Imagery
Roses fall like feathers and turn the landscape pink and white. Touch, scent, and color work together to make the fantasy feel physical.
Wild Rose
O wild rose, bend above my face!
There is no world—
Only the beat of your throat against my eyes.
White moss is harsh
Against these soft white petals of your feet.
It is hard to dream you have followed the wild goats
Aslant the perilous hills.
I have only the fire of my heart to offer you,
O peach-red lily of my love!
Overview Short Summary
The speaker addresses a beloved through the image of a wild rose, combining softness, danger, hills, and intense desire.
Emotional Effect Tone and Imagery
The tone is intimate and passionate. Soft petals contrast with harsh moss and perilous hills, suggesting tenderness shaped by a difficult journey.
We Pulled a Rose in Summer Time
We pulled a rose in summer time
Beside True Lover’s Gate,
Our lips sent up so sweet a chime,
That twilight lingered late;
Now look how is the year grown old!—
How leafless hedge and tree,—
’Tis said that even love grows cold,
So here is rosemary.
Overview Short Summary
A summer rose recalls a moment of love, while the later image of rosemary appears after the year has grown cold and bare.
Interpretation Symbols and Their Meaning
The rose represents summer romance. Rosemary, traditionally associated with remembrance, answers the colder season with memory rather than renewed passion.
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