You want to hold each one and discover it’s unique
But each time you begin to hold more than a touch something pricks or stings
For a time “no more pine cones”
Becomes a rule
But in living that ultimatum you see more loss than true
Not because the cone lost its prick
But because in labeling them as potential harm your heart doesn’t feel honest
And so you resolve to try again
Not all cones cause pain or harm
Some have gentler softer edges…