Rugosa

Rugosa gives the smell of a 1980s childhood in the north of England. Despite its incredibly spiny stems, Council planners thought it an excellent species to plant around children’s playgrounds. One certainly learned not to fall into a bush of these beasties. The beautiful pink flowers with their evocative scent became hips which we children crushed into ‘itching powder’, which was then subtly dispensed down the back of our playmates’ t-shirts. I can find little reference to its itching qualities, so this usage of Rogosa might have only existed in our infantile imaginations.

It seems a pity that our circle was more interested in irritating our skins than enjoying a beautiful flower. Yet we were a microcosm of humanity at large. We take God’s good gifts and turn them into bombs, instruments of torture and expressions of pride.

Come and behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the world, he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear, and burneth the chariots with fire.

Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 46:8-11, Geneva Bible