Blessed milk thistle appears along our northern Sierra trails and in the meadows when summer is in full tilt. Splashes of purple mesmerize me yet, unlike wildflowers, I am not tempted to gather them into spontaneous bouquets, due to those thorns!
How successful this devious beauty to ensure her longevity!
So here I am in mid-winter, dreaming of summer! Enjoy this seasonal detour and then head over to Laura at Small Reads for Brighter Days to celebrate #PoetryFriday!
THISTLE
Blessed milk thistle
sharp, jagged bracts, invasive
biennial weed
earns our dismissal
pale, purple sunflow’r, splendor
condemned by its seed
©Patricia J. Franz
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen thistle in person. Nature is so fascinating with how beautiful things “dismiss” us in various ways while protecting themselves. Roses have thorns too. Also thinking of Venus Flytraps. 🙂
Alas! No Venus Flytraps, and few roses, in the Sierras! 🙂
Oh, that ending shows the sadness. I do bring some thistle home, Patricia, cannot resist that fabulous purple! Love the dreaming of summer!
Yes, sometimes the weeds are the prettiest of the wilds!
Patricia, this is beautiful! And I love thistle. In fact, for Christmas, a writing group friend did an amazing painting of a photo I took of thistle and shared online: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWglF6AF4S/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link I’ll have to share the painting online, too, soon! I love your poem looking more closely at this tough little survivor.
The painting is beautiful! Until I can be with them in the wild, our painted and digital images will have to do. Thanks for sharing!
‘Thistle’ be a good poem to reread in the summer, too, Patricia. 😉
wink-wink 🙂
What a beautiful digital rendering of the thistle. Your poem is full of alliteration.
How successful this devious beauty to ensure her longevity!
Nature is so observant and protective of its own.
It’s good to have calming thoughts in the long winter months.
The digitizing comes from an app that I love to use for images on my website.
But isn’t it ironic that a weed can be a thing of beauty?
“Weed” depends on POV. I don’t think pollinators even know that word! I love thistle (and Joe Pie and Chicory)!
So so true, Mary! Hmm… maybe next I need to write Thistle’s reply!
Thistles make me think of Eeyore. 🙂 I like the poem!
oh my! yes! Thank you!
Such beautiful language in this poem, all leading up to that powerful, evocative last line. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Thank you, Elisabeth!
Such lovely word selection (and rhyme!) to prompt much thought – but sweetness too. Well done.
Thank you, Kathryn, and thank you for taking the time to visit and read this.