Ocotillo

A sunbaked pile of dead sticks in the ground I’m a divine oversight, it would seem Hundreds of long spines poke out all around Yet inside resides a colorful dream I’m a divine oversight, it would seem Look past my thorns, though they do seem countless Yet inside resides a colorful dream Deep down, I’m hiding a beauty boundless Look past my thorns, though they do seem countless Moisture kisses my roots in the springtime Deep down, I’m hiding a beauty boundless To this kindness, sprout tiny leaves sublime Moisture kisses my roots in the springtime Chlorophyll captures hard radiation To this kindness, sprout tiny leaves sublime Transmutes into my dream’s pigmentation Chlorophyll captures hard radiation My plumage explodes forth with colors bright Transmutes into my dream’s pigmentation In proud defiance of sun's bleaching light My plumage explodes forth with colors bright I sprout a thousand flames rose tangerine In proud defiance of sun's bleaching light Brush bold orange on the baked desert scene I sprout a thousand flames rose tangerine Hundreds of long spines poke out all around Brush bold orange on the baked desert scene A sunbaked pile of dead sticks in the ground 3/27/16 For contest: A Pantoum, A Poet's Choice Sponsor: Eve Roper