and this first summer month that brings the rose

Mono Monday: Shadow

"Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say; 
Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday? 
And this first Summer month that brings the Rose 
Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobad away. 

Well, let it take them! What have we to do 
With Kaikobad the Great, or Kaikhosru? 
Let Zal and Rustum bluster as they will, 
Or Hatim call to Supper--heed not you 

With me along the strip of Herbage strown 
That just divides the desert from the sown, 
Where name of Slave and Sultan is forgot-- 
And Peace to Mahmud on his golden Throne! 

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, 
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou 
Beside me singing in the Wilderness-- 
Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow! 

Some for the Glories of This World; and some 
Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come; 
Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go, 
Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum! 

Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, 
Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow, 
At once the silken tassel of my Purse 
Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw." 

From The Rubayyat of Omar Khayyam


Its tempting on a Bank Holiday Monday, after those European election results, with the dreadful Nigel Farage blustering away everywhere in the media, to simply adopt Old Khayyam's philosophy and just open another bottle ...


The roses are blooming beautifully in the garden. I've lit this one savagely from one side, as you can see, to create this chiaroscuro shadowy effect. I am rather pleased by the end result which hasn't lost the flower's softness despite the significant contrast.