Cactus Rose

A rose in the desert
Standing firm
Even when surrounded by nothingness
Finding water
Where there seemingly is none
Finding hope
in seeming hopelessness
Beauty 
Is in the eye of the beholder 

The cactus 
Prickly on the outside 
But underneath those bristles 
oftentimes is a soft smooth skin 
And inside 
Sweet, juicy liquid that satisfies 
The biggest thirst 
It takes time 
To learn how to touch a cactus 

The cactus 
A duality in appearance 
Beautiful …. 
Yet overlooked 
A duality in spirit 
Persevering …
Yet …

You are my cactus 
Let me behold your beauty 
Let me revel in your spirit 
Let me drink of your juices 
And touch your soft, smooth skin 

A cactus must be nurtured
As you nurture yourself 
Let it remind you 
Of the beauty that is in all creation 
In all its humility and majesty 

Mi Querido
May your days be many
Filled with the beauty that is life
Full of the spirit that takes a risk
To touch even the toughest looking cactus