caparris spinosa

flinder's rose, leaves round to ovate
burned mouth on the pizza too good too wait;
   curious reaction to swells in humidity
   cracking jerusalem's wall, succulent humanity

in jordan, morocco, or australian ghetto
flourishing escarpment, unruly bed foe
   cleaving to feed, grow beauty-children,
   the name aphrodisiac the name beholden

desire stone stays, but just so it cools
roots and no water need air-power tools
   grasshopper less leggy the wall overrides;
   his spring UN tested, seasoned, subsides

a mezza, a half, a divided whole holy
no temple the plant, just vital soul berry


12-21-17