Hidden Treasures
Nature’s treasures are hidden
in her foliage below,
lurking within her creases
for those in the know.
When you look under
there’s beauty to show.
Awaiting Monarch
Chrysalis:
Segmented, sleek
hanging, waiting, transforming.
A simple green shell protecting a precious life.
Pupa.
Flutter
Colors contrasting
so easy to see.
Quick quivers
catching light.
Wing wavers
quite the sight
Dynamic dancing
just for me.
Sunning
My wings brilliant of color
spread full for first time
soaking up the sun.
I sit atop a delicate bed
twisted and turned above curving stems
woven among thick grasses below.
My Heading
Where’s my head⏤
Here or there?
Which way will I go⏤
Maybe Mexico?
Transitions
Weathered and worn
my mother flew
and
fluttered
down
positing me onto a leaf.
One of six,
⏤ I feared her last.
Small and white,
on milkweed we hatched.
We ate in circles on our leaf
turning our colors bold to warn.
For weeks we grew in your garden
facing many perils there ⏤
dry, hot weather
the birds above
the toads n’ snakes below
with many stink bugs, katydids
and sneaky spiders too!
In our flora we played hide and seek from you.
I survived, the others
⏤ not.
It’s time to shed this skin of mine
blend my colors and enclose in a shell
⏤ my chrysalis, they say.
I’ll move my insides out
and transform anew.
Although for now
I’ll
hang
and
wait
until I emerge
bold again!
Then, like her,
⏤ I’ll flutter too!
Drying
today was
a crazy day
let me hang
like the laundry
on the line
in the sun
waving in the breeze.
I just need
a few moments here
alone
to gather my thoughts.
thanks
my friend
Monarch Orange
My first flutter
from shadows come.
But before my story told
and these wings flap
I must settle here,
a sunny spot.
My wings to warm
my pattern to blend
while my bold color warns,
telling the birds to keep away.
Stillness
So much to see
so much to do
but always remember,
it’s ok to
just
be
still.
In the Shadows
Monarch:
Orange, black.
Presenting, unveiling, announcing.
Mysterious migrating, perplexing pollinator.
Butterfly.
A Glimpse at New
Sometimes around or through
you’ll find creatures
in the most unexpected of places.
Tucked away.
Thriving.
Transparent
The perfect spot
so hard to find!
Need rays of light
not too much shade
yet sheltered from the rain
and plenty of space to hang.
This is mine,
I searched for days!
Yet its fading fast
brown and wrinkled.
Will it last?
Eclose
This garden, my home
it’s all I’ve ever known.
Yet something is calling to me
a great unknown.
I know it’s time to go
I’ll need nectar along my way.
But scattered gardens
only fragments of habitat to find.
Can you plant a garden for me?
With all my favorite things to drink?
A Beginning
At summer’s end
my journey begins.
In fading light and
with unsteady flaps
it’s time for flight.
Hang On
My green shell:
suddenly clear!
Tiny wings:
folded, weak, damp.
With pulsing air
wings larger grew!
Yet fragile still;
I cannot go.
So, here I hang
with dangers near!
Motionless.
Waiting til dry.
Wings:
straight and flat.
Emerged
I’ll struggle some
With so much new
My tongue and legs
These wings of mine
My colors too
What am I to do⏤
A flap or two
with rhythmic glide?
Fall
I notice less hours of light
with cooler temps than the weeks gone by,
I seem to age faster with each passing hour.
My senescing triggers diapause for longer life
to those who munch my leaves
and in a single generation these will fly south
to overwinter high in the mountains of Mexico,
finding oyamel firs to stay.
For months they will rest
until a desire awakens
and the urge to mate is suddenly underway.
This super generation heads north again
but not back to me.
Two more generations continue north
yet still not here to see.
Finally, next Spring,
a new version of me, grown from my roots
and my tender new seedlings
will greet generation three.
Thats when we’ll get to see them grow
all over again.
When the Milkweed is Ready
As colors warm
and temperatures fall
my pods are open
my floss is free
my seeds are ready
to float away
and settle where
the winds to say.
In cold ground they wait
til temperatures warm
and colors cool.
My seedlings sprout
waiting for monarchs.
Together they’ll start anew.
Alone, Near the Colony
I’m a super one!
For I live longer than those before
and travel more.
So far I’ve flown!
50 miles a day, maybe more
for days and days.
From North, all alone.
Until cluster found!
South we head on annual route.
Riding the winds on high!
2000 miles on the wing so far to come!
Together still!
Avoiding storms dodging cars.
Soaring along waterways.
Still nectaring on our way!
Warmed by sun by day and others at night.
Welcomed as family here
with celebrations and play!
Then further still.
High in the mountains we find oyamel firs to stay.
For months we rest!
And together when an impulse emerges
and North we start.
Mating on our way!
Until our separate paths we take.
Then alone again seeking milkweed before
the end.
In the Light
For those that are curious
look a new angle.
Seek out the shadows
and pockets of water.
Crouch down, get low
take to the ground.
Have a good gander
to see what
you hadn’t found.
Fading
Yellow petals fall
With shorter days for all
Will I last til Fall?
This activity is made possible, in part, by a Region 2 Arts Council Artist Support Grant with funding from the McKnight Foundation.
