Amidst miles and miles <br />Of undulating desert sand, <br />A lonely cactus stands! <br />A lonely sentinel of the desolate planes; <br />Where nothing grows or survives, <br />Amidst the burning sands of time, <br />And the blazing sun above. <br />What prompted this lonely crusader <br />To venture forth and grow, <br />I really donot know! <br />Perhaps it teaches us a lesson <br />In perseverance, patience and <br />A domineering will to survive; <br />Or is it survival of the fittest? <br />It is for you to decide. <br /> <br />As for me, the cactus tree, <br />Is a symbol of divinity! <br />Its body adorned with numerous thorns, <br />Reminds me of the thorny crown <br />On Christ’s head, <br />As He prayed from the cross <br />Seeking forgiveness for mankind. <br />The cactus, -mocked, abused and <br />ridiculed, <br />Stands its ground with steadfastness. <br />And with time, on the sable green <br />Body of the cactus, tiny little exotic <br />Red flowers sprout and bloom, <br />Like the drops of blood <br />Which fell from the Holy Cross! <br />Yet, within its veins there flows <br />A divine, radiant, white blood; - <br />An ageless symbol of martyred <br />Purity!<br /><br />RAJ NANDY<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cactus-tree/
