Yucca, rootbound porcupine,
stands at attention.
What are you guarding
with your green quills
straight as bayonets?
Did you ambush the juniper
with the camouflage needles?
You creep across the canyon
without tanks, refuel on sunlight.

Your fruit swells with the summer rain.

Clandestine plant,
you emerge unexpectedly
between sandstone rocks flecked with lichens
copious as the spots on a young cougar.

What secret do you oversee?
When the nocturnal moth emerges 
from rosettes coated with pollen,
do you stand at ease?

No wind ruffles
your stiff leaves 
as you stand sentry.