Adelaide’s namesake, Queen Adelaide, now has her own rose—a fine traditional pink bloom with hardy qualities which has been released by the Queen Adelaide Society for South Australia’s Jubilee 150.
How shall we write it, singing verse or prose?
Queen Adelaide has now her blooming rose,
A gentle flush upon her petal brow,
A regal air within her city now.
While turbo chariots may flame and roar
And high-rise horrors blatantly will soar,
The roulette wheels usurp the haunt of trains,
A lingering fragrance in the street remains.
Queen Adelaide, upon this world hell-bent,
Pray spread the benediction of your scent,
For where the garden path will wind and twist,
You’ll make each passing snail a monarchist.
But, how your gentle presence to explain,
To my rampaging plant, Salvation Jane?
For jealousy can be a garden curse
And something even nurserymen can’t nurse.
So bloom, fair Queen, that every eye may see
Right royal you are, and for our Jubilee…
That we may say, while needing no persuasion,
With blushing grace you rose to the occasion.
Max Fatchen