Why My Heart Has Renamed Itself Cactus

Because it has a bitter center and scarred tiara skin 
Because it has a stingy center, keeps whatever water in
She gave me an encyclopedia of nightshades to show how I could live 
She sprinkled Southern leaves on me that tore across my spokes 
She thought she broke my arms right off, their bristled needles shone 
Because moonlight in the juniper is all I’ll ever know.