consider the cocklebur
       

that will not let go until you drag it to fertile ground.
carry the burr here there. carry it like a horse.
a pest that rubs. a sore that weeps. because the wide
world needs you. do not drop and die in a puddle
of petals. hold on. cling to bodies so tenacious
in your drive to sow life that you annoy
everyone you meet.

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Copyright © 2022 Betsy Johnson All rights reserved
from when animals are animals
Mayapple Press
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission