This poem is about a plant — not a person. But in the wake of the sudden passing of an enormous political and historical figure, it’s easy to see parallels. A cactus was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem — but it’s lasting presence is similar to the seven decade reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Giant Cacti
There are ones
Way out in west Texas
But also
This beautiful monster
Right beside my house
I mean, it must be 70, 100 years old
Taller than my roof
Just stretching straight up
To the sky
It made it
Through that horrible freeze
That shut down the state
It has not just survived
The droughts and months
Of 100 degrees
But thrived
The wind storms
The pesky bugs and squirrels
All of it
It still keeps
Reaching
And just last week
For the first time I’ve ever seen
Pink blossoms
Bursting near the top
A celebration
For all who look up
And so maybe
With the wearying weather
With the pests
Of political divisiveness
With all the stress and strain
Of each day
Maybe
There is still
Strong
Slow-blooming
Hope.
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