How did the rose ever open its heart
  and give this world all its beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light 
 against its being,

otherwise we all remain too frightened.

This short poem is packed with meaning. It’s a wonderful one for meditation. Spend some time visualizing the rose, feeling the encouragement of light and the warm, unfolding of soft, delicate petals. All to be revealed in a beautiful opening wide of self. Think about the literal details of this poem, the role of natural light upon the living rose.  Then contemplate the poetic significance . . . what might “the encouragement of light” symbolize in our spiritual lives?  Can you imagine Christ as the rose?