Thistle

Thistle

Unfriendly tower

of green leaves and prickles,

covered in threatening

sharp, pointy stickles,

daring each passerby:

"Come take a nip!

You'll end up with spiny things

stuck in your lip."

But, up at your top

is a soft, purple bloom,

patiently waiting,

with just enough room

for a bright butterfly

to come rest for a while

in prickly, stickly, thistely style.