By Linda Robertson Somers

One time in a far off desert land

Where only few survive

There grew a cactus strong and tall

Who somehow stayed alive.

The cactus won all men’s respect

For her spirit was so strong

That no one pulled her from the ground

Or did her any wrong.

But the cactus wasn’t satisfied

With this earthly plan

She wanted to be beautiful

And win the love of man.

One day on a midsummers night

As she began to doze

The magic of her wish came true

And changed her to a rose.

The first one to behold the rose

Was a traveler passing through,

He saw a thing of beauty

Where once a cactus grew.

He smiled as he plucked her down

That was all she knew

Man’s love, for which she died was through

He tossed her to the ground.