When submitting my poems and short stories, I often begin my short bio with "Ginger Dehlinger writes in whatever genre fits the story she wants to tell." 

I can immerse myself for hours, arranging and rearranging the feast of words in the English language into a varietyof poetic forms, tones and rhythms. It's a pastime I liken to playing word games orassembling puzzles.

Recently I wrote an epistle. According to the Oxford dictionary, an epistle is (1) "a poem or other literary work in the form of a letter or series of letters." Also (2) "a book of the New Testament in the form of a letter from an Apostle."

I had too much fun writing the following poem.

The Epistle of Thistle

 Dear beloved partisan,

I am soon to depart for Damascus after a brief sojourn in Jerusalem where Ivisited Cousin Artichoke. I trust your deep-rooted diligence will prevail afterI take leave.

 

Let it be known by you and all mankind that henceforth Ishall propagate these lands with emissaries by the hundredfold. I am callednoxious and evil (lies perpetrated by Philistines), whereas I am neitherimmoral nor leprous. I am merely an ageless purveyor of herbaceous greens oftentrodden underfoot. I am magnanimous. I deliver pollen to makers of wild honey,seeds to doves and raptors without prejudice. I provide bedding for hatchlings,leaves for larvae, roots for redemption.  

Granted, my spines can be weapons. I am a pacifist at heart,although it did not distress me to learn my prickly progeny once saved Scotlandfrom Norse invaders. The Scots, who have made me their national emblem, dependon me for their Black Thistle gin. In turn, I provide solace for their liversand dyspepsia.

Enough of my glories, for I must bid thee farewell. I havemany lands to cross before my mission on earth is complete. Pray, I beseechthee, for steady winds and deliverance from scythe, plow and contagion as Ijourney on.

Your steadfast friend,
Cirsium of Antioch