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.