[IMAGE: https://steemitimages.com/DQmPZhED1VdDwCJgPCUBpp52G2rS48gUVmFxW8EE69kdNBF/image.png] Picture by Pixabay

Softhearted and delicious on the inside and Thistles on the outside, that's why I called her Artichoke. She knew me well enough to throw a barb my way when called for, and she loved me enough to nourish me.

When I first met Artichoke she was thriving in the desert. I assumed I had enough to offer that she would blossom and I would be in awe of her beauty and she would find meaning in my protection and nourishment.

I had not counted however on her being so freestanding. You never see the roots of an artichoke, and she never let on that she was totally free. When however I sought to dress her in mayonnaise and mustard, she grew bored and said "let's take a walk in the desert."

We went to the desert together but soon I was lost and I do not even know whether she left me or was still wandering out there, maybe looking for asparagus.
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Critiques welcome. This was my first attempt at freewriting and it was a response to the prompt "artichoke" I wrote for 5 minutes (with a timer set). No editing and ending in time was very hard. It certainly got my juices flowing. If you are interested in freewriting you should check out @MarrianeWest and her contest at https://steemit.com/freewrite/@mariannewest/day-139-5-minute-freewrite-wednesday-prompt-artichoke.