if I were a cactus
would I be easier to take?
because you could see
where my spines were
where I could hurt you
and you could hurt me
where I get my food
and where I lay my roots
so that you knew everything
and I could only steel myself
would you like that?
to be in command?
fully-responsible?
just remember that I can wait
through the longest droughts
and only die when the rains
come