What is the meaning of the poem "the Rose Family" by Robert Frost?

The rose is a rose,


And was always a rose.


But the theory now goes


That the apple's a rose,


And the pear is, and so's


The plum, I suppose.


The dear only know


What will next prove a rose.


You, of course, are a rose--


But were always a rose.

What is the meaning of the poem "the Rose Family" by Robert Frost?
I had heard once that roses were related to apples, so I found this question intriguing... another opportunity to do some Answers research as well as dissect a poem. Lovely!





Go to this address ( http://www.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/r... ) and scroll down a bit. There you will find the question of the relationship of the rose to the apple discussed. I quote from that sight:





"Roses are a member of the Rosaceae family of plants. As such, they are not only related to the apple but to most of the fruits we eat. These include peaches, pears, cherries, plums (and sloes), quinces and loquats. They are also related to strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and loganberries."





"The Rosaceae Family is so large a group; it also includes many of our landscaping trees, shrubs and perennials like photinia, pyracantha, flowering quince, potentilla and meadowsweet."





"Many botanists, in fact, consider Rosaceae to be the most important botanical family on the temperature regions of the globe."





I love Robert Frost. He was a bit of a Vermonter for a while, and he has a Vermonter's sort of dry, observational humor. He is pragmatic.





I think the poem is meant to be humorous in a way, while (in true Vermont style, including don't waste anything -- in this case words) he turns it into a romantic poem of sorts.





A rose is and will always be pure, lovely, fragrant -- a rose.


Other things can claim to be a rose, but do they stand the test? (the discerning dear**)


However, you are and will always be (100%) a rose. (Nothing fraudulent about you, your beauty, etc.)








**Note: Deer love roses!
Reply:To me it means that when surrounded by people who are pretending to be something greater than they are, the one person who is truly great in a given situation will always stand out.





That is just what this poem says to me, I could be way off base.
Reply:Flattery will get you everywhere. Pax - C.