These Holy Days—A High Holidays Supplement After October 7 | Page 25

The Cactus Darcy Grabenstein
Weeds overrun my garden their mangy masses multiplying uncontrollably , but they don ’ t fool me their green exteriors mocking me , stalks standing straight at attention like soldiers sending a silent Hitler salute
Among the weeds I find , to my surprise , a sprawling cactus its yellow blooms a badge of beauty among its prickly spines that protect it from animals intent on its destruction
But its spines are more than a deterrent in the desert they create shade where there is none they prevent the loss of life-giving water in the harshest of conditions
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