I just think thistles are beautiful! ~ Jo Helen Cox

Despicable weed covered with prickles,
barbed leaves, nectar served up
in a spiked cup — nature cum loathsome,
designed to be repugnant to herbivores and humans,
so hated weevils brought to destroy them.
Symbol of nobility? Of birth, of chivalry, of Scotland?
Cherished food of butterfly and goldfinch?
The thistle?

Acrid of tongue, passive-aggressive,
piercing sarcasm, consumed by consumption,
clinging to wrongs past, savoring payback.
I came to you hateful, vengeful, arrogant yet fearful.
What had I to bring? Industrious, talented,
a leader? A cherished member of the group?
Me, a thistle?
Me. A beautiful thistle.