Teddy Bear

Teddy Bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)


My name suggests
embraceable, but
arms that seek
to cuddle me will find
a prickly reception.

I am a lesson grown
in sun and sand that
a name can bear deception.

©Susie Clevenger 2015

Comments

Delightful, esp your use of personification.
Unknown said…
Oh, indeed it can! We had hundreds of these near our last house. Stinkers, for sure!
Sanaa Rizvi said…
Absolutely beautiful...! Stunned by the vivid use of personification :D
xoxo
Ella said…
So, clever! Yes, you nailed this one...
brudberg said…
Never ever hug them.. I recall those ones.
Jim said…
I've not seen this kind of cactus, Susie. I lived in El Paso for five years but none there that I knew of.
Quite pretty though.
..
Magaly Guerrero said…
Prickly, aren't we. I've never seen this delightful teddy bear who speaks so warningly in your poem, but you've captured his voice so well... that I feel like we've met before. ;-)
Gillena Cox said…
nice one; thanks for stoppin by to read mine

much love...
Anonymous said…
I know this is true. I once dated a total bitch named Joy.
hedgewitch said…
This one feels like it just jumped from your pen, Susie, perfectly formed, and with a kick at the end that won't quit. Not only looks can be deceiving.
Vandana Sharma said…
To me this poem has a great indepth meaning. isn't life itself a deception? .
grapeling said…
oh, well done. those spines are *nasty* ~