Of Roses and Poets

Book excerpt: Of Roses and Poets is a collection of photographic rose portraits and vintage poems. The portraits are the work of J. Franklin Willis and the poems date from the mid-sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. Also included is a brief exploration of rose mythology: Greek, Roman, Hindu, Arab, Jewish and Christian. Why roses and poems now? In a time otherwise shattered by violence, messages of beauty, love and honor are whispered to the very soul of humanity through the presence of roses and the words of poets. When images of terrorism flood the media, we may find comfort in these verbal and visual images. Some roses speak of beauty, some of pride or even honor, while others hold a mischievous quality that flirts with our essence. Some roses remind us of romances and lovers, while poets gift us with words that bring to life emotions, the vapors that inhabit the soul and the very spirit of humanity that can lift us above a sometimes cruel world. This collection of poems has only two common qualities: I like each poem and each poem speaks to something within me. I hope these images and poems speak to something within you and you find your private conversation with this volume adds to your peace of mind.