The Cactus Tree

I met you by the cactus tree
As you were singing blissfully,
And it was just us two, you see,
On both sides of the cactus tree.

But it was very bristly
And always stood there guardedly.
There was no way to touch, you see,
Because there stood a cactus tree.

I tried to go around the tree,
And though I tried so hopefully,
I heard your voice but could not see
Your face beyond the cactus tree.

I longed to hold you close to me
Within my arms so tenderly,
But there was too much pain, you see,
From nettles of the cactus tree.

I know that I should let it be,
My logic tells me sensibly,
For now I know and now I see
The reason for the cactus tree.

But I will try to find the key
Because I love you earnestly,
And when I do I’ll set you free
To live beyond your cactus tree.

79 thoughts on “The Cactus Tree

  1. Home And Spirit's avatar

    Absolutely love this one! As human beings we all have a cactus tree inside us which makes relationships difficult until we learn how to remove the…spikes? pins? Needles? …..what are they called? Anyway, great rhythm as always and super poem about love!

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Cacti people can be hard to love as they to be very prickly, but I think given enough patience and love, they will let someone into their hearts and will love in return. πŸ™‚

  2. Pβ„°RSONNβ„°'s avatar

    i truly love how you write your poems. I felt this one, I’ve been this path before. Kind regards. =)

    1. Cubby's avatar

      It is not easy to love while lugging a cactus tree around, but it sounds like you are past this now, and I am so glad for that…for Jim too. πŸ˜‰

  3. Oloriel's avatar

    A very good story, the flow of the rhymes is masterfull and captivating πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it. πŸ™‚

  4. Georgia's avatar

    I like the story you’ve told…alas so many are hidden by prickly thornes. It seems to me that elements of the Ghazal have come to roost in this poem, could a this be a Cubby Ghazal quatrain variation?

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Um, maybe a monorhyming Cubbified pseudo-Ghazal?

      1. Georgia's avatar

        ROFLing! I love Cubbified pseudo-Ghazals! Do you think there may actually be a form similar to what you did here? Whatever…it’s great!

  5. randomblurting's avatar

    Beautifully written Cubby.. I love the metaphor of the cactus tree! You’re so creative with your writing πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Many thanks. Your words are always very encouraging and much appreciated. πŸ™‚

      1. randomblurting's avatar

        You’re most welcome Cubbimiester! πŸ˜‰

  6. Brian Hughes's avatar

    Next time you should arrange to meet at the skinny smooth tree.

  7. Skye @ TheSanctuaryofMyHeart's avatar

    Brilliant! I have been there, too. It is a shame when the cactus tree keeps apart what should be together. Well done, as always.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      It is a rather painful experience, for both parties, but it can be very rewarding if it works out in the end. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. πŸ™‚

  8. soberflight's avatar

    It was patience all along, you see,
    That helped defeat the cactus tree.
    I pulled each pin out gingerly
    So you and I could finally be.

    I liked this apt analogy
    About that nasty cactus tree,
    We all have them; seems to me
    It can often lead to tragedy.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Yes, indeed, you found the key,
      You understand so well, I see,
      That patient love can set one free,
      So live and love accordingly.

      πŸ™‚

  9. contingencypersona's avatar

    Its a captivating piece from the start to the finish.

  10. jackspratt823's avatar

    Half nursery rhyme, half love story. Wholly poetry.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      To be considered whole is all that my poetry ever asks for. πŸ™‚

  11. TheGreatPlainsPoet's avatar

    Such a well written piece. I love the imagery and the whimsy. Nice work.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Thank you kindly. So glad you enjoyed it. πŸ™‚

  12. hitandrun1964's avatar

    That was great. Never give up and love conquers all. Beautifully said:)

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Patience can work wonders when it comes to love. πŸ™‚

  13. ghostinthewalls's avatar

    *appaluding!* Such a good message. ~ B

    1. Cubby's avatar

      A bit of first-hand experience hehe. πŸ˜‰

  14. Svelte's avatar

    Hahaha. Bloody brilliant.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Hehe too kind. Glad you liked it! πŸ™‚

  15. KaylasOnlyHeart's avatar

    This reminds me of an old friend of mine. I told him he was prickly. πŸ˜‰ Great poem!

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Hehe some are more visibly prickly than others. Glad you liked the poem! πŸ™‚

  16. Miranda Stone's avatar

    Very moving, Cubby! I love the cactus analogy.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      I was itching to write a cactus poem, and it somehow took this shape. Glad you enjoyed it! πŸ™‚

  17. Vanessa's avatar

    Excellent!
    Love, light and blessings

  18. jerri42's avatar

    Love, love, love I think everything else has been said

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Aw, so happy you enjoyed it. πŸ™‚

  19. healing's avatar

    I love this πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      That makes me very happy. πŸ™‚

  20. K Nero's avatar

    This. Is beyond splendid. Something about this poem touched me deeply. Lovely work.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Aw, thank you so much for your kind words. It makes me happy to know my writing can reach others in some way. πŸ™‚

  21. TristaLynn's avatar

    I really love this, it is so relatable for anyone and everyone.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Thank you kindly. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Yes, it can be a painful experience. So happy you enjoyed it. πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      I am so delighted you do! πŸ™‚

  22. Anomie's avatar

    Walls walls walls, the prison of the heart.
    They need very little water to grow, cacti.
    In night-cold and a summer they grow
    Immutable.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Adapted to the bold extremes
      Of blistery sun and frosty moon,
      A cactus waits and hoards its love
      That slumbers in a tough cocoon.

      1. Anomie's avatar

        ❀ I love your rhymes πŸ˜€ They truly warm the heart.

  23. kdavisfanclub's avatar

    magnificent rhyme, Cubby, loved it! Best wishes from Baldy πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      You have some fantastic rhymes yourself Baldy. πŸ™‚

  24. pilbra's avatar

    Brilliant work, so much feeling in the story line. Starting to feel human again hope to get to get my blog running properly today. Your poem made me smile.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      I’m glad to see your blog up and running! Were any of those poems previously posted on your other blog? Some of them have a familiar ring, but I have a horrible memory so I’m not quite sure.

  25. Lovely Lucidity's avatar

    So cute, it reminds me of Kimya Dawson’s song “Tree Hugger”.
    “The rattlesnake said I wish I had hands so I could hug you like a man and then the cactus said, ‘but don’t you understand? … My skin is covered with sharp spikes… Hug my flower with your eyes.'”

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Hehe never heard the song before, but I will search for it and take a listen if I can. πŸ™‚

  26. Fairen's avatar

    I love the story that you have told; very meaningful and beautiful πŸ™‚

    1. Cubby's avatar

      I’m glad you think so! πŸ™‚

  27. Shainbird's avatar

    A beautiful and wise metaphor Cubby!

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Some are more pricklier than others. πŸ˜‰

  28. christhomas4711's avatar

    Reblogged this on On the light side of gamification and commented:
    Hey there,
    you’re a real poet!
    Thank you so much for sharing decided to reblog it, hope you don’t mind πŸ™‚
    Have a great day,
    Chris

    1. Cubby's avatar

      I don’t mind the reblog at all. I’m flattered you would consider it reblog worthy. πŸ™‚

      1. christhomas4711's avatar

        Thank you, it was absolutely worthy πŸ™‚ how are you?

  29. Amanda Banks's avatar

    My favorite of all your wonderful poems that I have read this morning… Thanks!

    1. Cubby's avatar

      I’m so glad you found a favorite in my cactus poem this morning. πŸ™‚

  30. becky6259's avatar

    Such true-to-life words — very few of us have not been pricked by the cactus tree at one time or another. And some of us do the pricking.

    1. Cubby's avatar

      We live in a prickly world. πŸ™‚

  31. scottishmomus's avatar

    Isn’t a cactus classified as a succulent? Prickly on the outside, full of moisture and softness on the inside. I think. Beautifully done.x

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Yes, they are indeed classified as succulent. They remind me a little of crabs. Tough shell, soft exterior. Crabs and pricks would make an interesting combination, no? πŸ™‚

      1. scottishmomus's avatar

        I’ll watch this space then. πŸ™‚ x

      2. scottishmomus's avatar

        I’ll watch this space then. πŸ™‚ x

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Well thank you very kindly! πŸ™‚

  32. harrypeat's avatar

    It’s like some kind of metaphor for something, isn’t it?

    1. Cubby's avatar

      Um, I think it would describe you really well, in fact. But extra, extra prickly. πŸ˜€

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