Cultivate a white rose for one who breaks your heart too - A poem by José Martí


Here is a beautiful poem by José Martí, a celebrated poet from Cuban.

"Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca" - José Martí 

Cultivo una rosa blanca,
en julio como en enero,
para el amigo sincero
que me da su mano franca.

Y para el cruel que me arranca
el corazón con que vivo,
cardo ni oruga cultivo:
cultivo la rosa blanca.


English Translation:

I nurture a white rose 
in July as in January,
for the true friend
who offers me his loyal hand.

And for the merciless one who wrenches out 
the heart by which I live,
thistle nor thorn do I nurture:
for him, I nurture a white rose.

If this poem would be sung in Indian classical music, it would be sung in Raag Gauri. The raag of beauty and purity. (Symbolism, White rose: http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/rosemeanings/whiterose-meanings.aspx)

This poem is what true love is all about. The poet aspires to cultivate a white rose, a labor of love, for a true friend. But he also labors a white rose for one who wrenches out his heart. He is declaring that he will treat everybody the same, irrespective of whether they are good or bad to him. This is truly how the song of oneness is sung. This poem has become one of his greatest poems because the poet can be heard singing the purpose of life. The purpose of life is to sing of oneness with angels; and the goodness of angels has to be discovered in everyone. 

This reminds me a couple from Bhagat Shekh Farid: 

fareedhaa jo tai maaran mukeeaa(n) tin(h)aa na maare ghu(n)m ||
aapanaRai ghar jaieeaai pair tin(h)aa dhe chu(n)m ||7||

Fareed, do not turn around and strike those who strike you with their fists.
Kiss their feet, and return to your own home. ||7||

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