Danetta Barney

Wild and free,
the thistle in a field
sharpens its spine,
stretches its long neck
to kiss the sun.

He is a runaway
this out of control
prodigal son
absorbing the heat
on a hot summer’s day
racing to see
who has out grown him
in the shortest time
during the siege
and take over.

He enjoys
his freedom
wildly predicting
his end time
when he, with all
the others
will be cut down.

He is one thistle in a field
calling for unity.