And Now, a Poem About a Saguaro

Longtime readers of Arizona Highways know that we used to publish poetry submissions from our readers. We abandoned that practice in the 1980s, but we still get an occasional submission via mail or email. We recently received this one from Sherry Machen, who lives in Green Valley but (we gather) is a Minnesota native.

A Minnesotan Talks to a Saguaro
by Sherry Machen

You big old cactus!

You’re so sharp
And you don’t give shade.

You’re for the birds –
Holes in your heart their nests.

Wrens cheer from your head
Where white flowers bloom.

I don’t want to love you –
You’re no oak.

But your huge, outstretched arms
Make me want to cry.

Photo: Greg McCown | Saguaro National Park