little

prickly pear,

pretty armor so easily peeled

away

from the sticky inside

and you're keeping

seeds from my garden-

who are you to hoard all that potential?

Pretty

pretty

little prickly pear,

pretty armor so easily peeled!

Once I get under your skin

your defenses do no good:

the soft

sweet

inside

breathes cold air.

I'll have your blood on my hands

while you're still slipping

down

my

throat.