Kp Nunez Poet Personification

The Thistle's Lament

Those condescending Royals in their pristine
garden, primp and preen among the other flowers.  
Their porcelain pale skin so fragile; they make
a wide berth, around me. I feel like a thorn
in their flesh, an oddity at best. 

The stately cedar would not deign to give 
his daughter to my son, saying she already has
a place at the palaces of kings. I bristle for without
this lowly thistle, their lives would be boring.

Why, they’ll be sorry to find me and my kind
honored on the Highlander’s Royal flag. One day, 
my thorn will puncture the proud, topple them from their
high horses. They’ll slow down, their careless
stride and fall, as the thistle's prick is pulled from
their perfumed and powdered rumps.


After:  Thistle in the Field, by Fidelia Bridges,  1875


For Debbie Guzzi's Challenge: Ten Pictures, Ten Poems, Ten Days - Painting 10
16 January 2016

* Published by Ekphrastic: Writing and Art on Art and Writing 24 February 2016

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Vladislav Raven February 16, 2016 at 9:07 PM Hi Kim, when i read thistle in the title of this one, being Scottish i just had to drop in and i am glad i did, Aye Kim, the lone thistle still standing proud to the end. It may droop a little now and again but it always finds its way erect. It may not be the most beautiful but it is hardy and fool around with it and it has its sting. Aye, the wild country where the thistle grows away in its own peace. Your words a sweet song within my ears. Excellent write. A 7 for this gem Kim....Vlad.

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser January 21, 2016 at 2:57 AM Kim, indeed the thistle is the flower emblem of Scotland, great depiction.. =`) weeee!!! still am waiting for the last two.. =`) finally, am done.. hahahaha!~Olive Eloisa =`)

Robert Lindley January 18, 2016 at 10:19 AM Truly exceptional work my friend and the ending fits fine . A pleasure to read this delightful interpretation of painting number 10!!!! A7

Arthur Vaso January 17, 2016 at 11:59 PM Now this, I must whistle at this thistle, well done.

Lindsay Laurie January 17, 2016 at 6:48 PM Hello Kim ... oh yes, the thistles revenge is paramount now. Well done Kim - Lindsay Kp Nunez January 18, 2016 at 5:33 AM Well, I do not encourage revenge, Lindsay. But in the language of flowers, the thistle (like the burr) is an ancient Celtic symbol of nobility of character as well as of birth, for the wounding or provocation of a thistle yields punishment. Consider the herbivore who would eat it, or a person who would trample on it...see what happens, and the thistle did not make any move... Thanks for coming back! :-)

Andrea Dietrich January 17, 2016 at 5:44 PM I love how you did this one. Makes me think of the royals of France and how THEY were toppled by the peasants in the REvolution. It 's getting time for one in the usa. haha!

Joseph May January 17, 2016 at 12:56 PM Love the touch of humor at the end Kim..Another great write...best wishes

Nette Onclaud January 17, 2016 at 12:25 PM an inimitable write, dear kim... your wildflower can rip off any proud kind.. you rock!..huggs Kp Nunez January 18, 2016 at 5:19 AM Hi, Nettie. Debbie and I discussed and agreed that since plants are servants to humans, it is more appropriate to address them, the Royals. I think it came out better. Thanks and huggs!

Duke Beaufort January 17, 2016 at 11:14 AM Have you heard the quote..."A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." So applicable to personal behavior this work is in the way you have given a voice to the thistle.

Miraj Raha January 17, 2016 at 9:35 AM Excellent take on the prompt,Kim.Your research shows,and you have pulled off the poem elegantly.Really enjoyed the write.

Legendary Legend January 17, 2016 at 6:33 AM nice poem...

Demetrios Trifiatis January 17, 2016 at 5:47 AM Well written and very informative! Good luck, dear Kim!

Lindsay Laurie January 16, 2016 at 10:02 PM Nicely written Kim; personally I don't mind the Scotch thistle. The seed attracts goldfinches... but the farmers despise it - good luck Kim - Lindsay

Jaycee Cervenka January 16, 2016 at 9:33 PM Kim, I love wild flowers and I think toodles are a bit universal in their growth even when the varieties differ. I like that you use the historical significance of thistle. Kp Nunez January 16, 2016 at 9:39 PM Thank you, Jaycee. The challenge required a bit of research. I am not normally familiar with all the trivia, but have learned to widen my interpretation of things based of additional information. Thank you so much for your perceptive comment and for appreciating the historical background of the subject..:-)