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 rosebud,
With a flush on its petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.
~John Boyle O’Reilly
~1844-1890
