Prickly Pear, a misconception in the desert
A cactus of flat, fleshy, green pads covered with reddish-brown,
barbed bristles and yellow flowers with reddish centers
produces a bright purple fruit
It’s prickly to the eye and touch, but tempting to taste its prickling severity
The flatness of the bubbles gives the cactus a geometrical
shape that is unique to the surrounding beauties
The golden yellow flowers burst from the cactus’ tips
The delicious fruits are admired,
but soon enjoyed because of their taste
Hated, but marveled, they are placed in open sandy areas with rocky sites;
the desert
With just one touch on its pads, it latches multiple miniature bristles into your skin, leaving them there to prick with the slightest pressure
“That’s what you get for messing with MY skin!”
you show such beauty, but give such pain
and continuously smile until it’s lame
Broadcasting your love from May to August,
throughout that time you give the reward of dull, purple fruit
The harm this beautiful cactus can do is misunderstood,
one defense mechanism is the bristles that are lined with backward-pointing hooks, impossible to take out
Damn you Opuntia humifusa for looking so gorgeous, intricate,
but hiding your weapons and wickedness
One thing’s for sure, you definitely live up to the standard
of a misconception in the desert.
