5. Thistles and Nettles

[just_the_ash]

Thistles and Nettles

Both, as you know, are prickly
to grab. Nettles have uses
but only thistles have great purple
crowns, flinging color to every

wind and rain. So, twelve thistles
backstage for drums and dulcimers.
Eleven nettles wherever the work
of pipers and fiddles goes ignored.

Ten thistles for the ice storm, when
one brave friend still visits your tenth
birthday party. Nine nettles for the hour
before holiday dinner a lover starts drinking.

Eight thistles for losing a Buddha earring
but meeting a real one inside the party.
Seven nettles for how many don't speak
to the one in the wheelchair, or if they do,

coo to an adult as they would an infant. Six
thistles for the one who helps when called.
Five nettles for each evil step-family. Four
thistles nodding gently at the one who says

I will be my own healthiest. Three
blistering nettles in the pillowcase
of the false friend. Two nettles, two seconds
it took her to reveal a gaping cruelty.

One bright thistle for the sunshine shaped
like a human. Shining one, I love you too.