Lessons from the Cactus

Forsaken in parched desert land

Clothed in hard prickly thorns

Arms upward to the scorching sun

A vision so forlorn

Gazed upon but not enchanting

You manage to survive

Conserving water from dew drops

Another year revived

“What purpose have you on this earth

No beauty touch or shade

It hardly seems you have some worth

That anyone would trade”

Then just before abandonment

Night flowers come alive

To prove some valued lessons learned

Are hidden from the eyes

LESSONS FROM THE CACTUS-SYNOPSIS

So many lessons are to be learned from the cactus. Its presence in the desert conjures up a somber image of the Biblical crucifixion. This profound negative imagery is actually a façade as the cactus draws attention to its resilience, endurance, longevity and ultimately its beauty.

Just as the writer is about to abandon it as being unattractive and worthless, the cactus reveals its stunning flowers under the cover of moonlight. The façade is exposed! Hidden beauty and value are in all living things, a message of hope paralleled by the Easter lily.