Walking this land is a treacherous endeavor
Barbs and bites strike out
And leave their mark

Sweet Acacia,
Cat-claw thorn adorned
Snags, grabs, breaks clean, digs deep in flesh

Diamondbacks hide near,
‘Neath purple muhly grass
Most often overlooked, but when not, death

Gila monsters lumber out,
Steer clear of gripping jaws
They bite on rare occasion, won’t let go

Spry jumping cholla,
Its cousin teddy bear
With spiny, break-’way segments covered in snow

They all leave their mark
Barbs and bites strike out
A treacherous endeavor, walking this land
And yet I do.