What is the main idea of john boyle o'reilly's poem "a white rose"?

Question:

What is the main idea of john boyle o'reilly's poem "a white rose"?

the red rose whispers of passion,
and the white rose breathes of love;
oh, the red rose is a falcon,
and the white rose is a dove.

But i sent you a cream-white rosebud,
with a flush on its petal tips
for the love that is purest and sweetest
has a kiss of desire on the lips.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

John is using rose colors to represent types of love. Red being the strong passion, and white the deep love. But he doesn't send his love a red or white rose, he sends a cream-white rosebud w/ red petal tips, because he believes the purest and sweetest love is deep (white) with a flare of passion and desire (the red tips). The rosebud he gives is ready to bloom into the pure love that he speaks of.