Amidst miles and miles
Of undulating desert sand,
A lonely cactus stands!
A lonely sentinel of the desolate planes;
Where nothing grows or survives,
Amidst the burning sands of time,
And the blazing sun above.
What prompted this lonely crusader
To venture forth and grow,
I really donot know!
Perhaps it teaches us a lesson
In perseverance, patience and
A domineering will to survive;
Or is it survival of the fittest?
It is for you to decide.

As for me, the cactus tree,
Is a symbol of divinity!
Its body adorned with numerous thorns,
Reminds me of the thorny crown
On Christ’s head,
As He prayed from the cross
Seeking forgiveness for mankind.
The cactus, -mocked, abused and
ridiculed,
Stands its ground with steadfastness.
And with time, on the sable green
Body of the cactus, tiny little exotic
Red flowers sprout and bloom,
Like the drops of blood
Which fell from the Holy Cross!
Yet, within its veins there flows
A divine, radiant, white blood; -
An ageless symbol of martyred
Purity!

RAJ NANDY

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cactus-tree/