Gertrude Stein

Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.

first appearance:
"Sacred Emily" (1913)


collected in:
Geography and Play ( Boston: Four Seas Co., 1922), pp. 178-188)
Selected Writings of Gertrude Stein, Vintage Books, 1990
Writings: 1903-1932, ed. Catharine R. Stimpson and Harriet Chessman (New York: Library of America, 1998), 387-96.

also these references in other Stein works::

Do we suppose that all she knows is that a rose is arose is a rose is a rose. (Operas and Plays)

. . . she would carve on the tree Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose until it went all the way around. (The World is Round)

A rose tree may be a rose tree may be a rosy rose tree if watered. (Alphabets and Birthdays)

Indeed a rose is a rose makes a pretty plate . . . .(Stanzas in Meditation)

When I said.
A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.
And then later made that into a ring I made poetry and what did I do I caressed completely caressed and addressed a noun.
"Poetry and Grammar," Lectures in America (Boston: Beacon Press, 1985), p. 231.

Civilization begins with a rose. A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. It continues with blooming and it fastens clearly upon excellent examples. (As Fine as Melanctha)

Lifting belly can please me because it is an occupation I enjoy.
Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.
In print on top. (Bee Time Vine)


Now listen! I'm no fool. I know that in daily life we dont go around saying is a is a is a Yes, Im no fool; but I think that in that line the rose is red for the first time in English poetry for a hundred years. (Four in America (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1947).