We are Saguaro
~ Last of the Yaquis
I was born to be alone
Madre told me so
We are Saguaro, mija
We are tough—don’t need nobody
[She wants to keep me to herself]
Madre is right
I drink in my hairy arms
Who could love me like this?
Prickly right through to my pulp
It appears I wish to be left alone
Everyone keeps their distance
Just because I can survive in the Sonoran Desert
Doesn’t mean I enjoy the drought
I have a secret
I am harbouring a lover
A rosy-cheeked Gila Woodpecker finds his way under my skin
Perhaps love can nest within me yet
.
.
.
(Note: This is an Inverse poem. The nuance subtly shifts depending on whether it is read from top to bottom or bottom to top)
About the Creator
Paris Rosemont
Thai Australian poet. Author of poetry collections 'Banana Girl' and 'Barefoot Poetess'.
You may find me at https://www.parisrosemont.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parisrosemont
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msparisrose/
Keep reading
More stories from Paris Rosemont and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (5)
Oh, ouch - such mind-altering varying emotions that come from the order one reads this. The romantic in me sure loves the top-to-bottom experience, but the sadness and creeping resignation is too powerful to ignore in the bottom-to-top ride. Your descriptions are really meaty and filling too (I'm a vegetarian so I don't know why I used this wording, by the way). I love "prickly right through to my pulp." SO good!!
Oh I liked it down so much. Up, too, but then I read it down again to finish where I wanted it to finish.
Very vivid and so lyrical! A captivating voice from beginning to end!
This was very profound. Loved your poem!
. Very creative!!