Moving between worlds,
egg to leaf,
leaf to stone,
stone to leaf,
leaf to tree,
caterpillar to cocoon.
In stillness,
bound within
her own web, she
quietly transforms.
To a winged moth.
She will fly through
twilight,
through darkness,
singing her wings
on porch lights.
If I bind myself
closely with my own web,
will I transform
into a winged being,
fluttering toward the light?
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes:
Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks to Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at the Poem Farm for hosting. Pop over for a poetry party.
Yesterday, I read Cool Melons — Turn to Frogs! The Life and Poems of Issa, a picture book of haiku, biography, nature and magic by Matthew Gollub. It’s beautifully illustrated by Kazuko G. Stone. In the book, Issa learns that he can speak the things inside him through haiku. The important part is learning to speak what’s inside you.
Can a web of words transform a person?
If you are interested in what others have written of moths, here are two: Moth Moon and Luna Moth.
Can anyone identify my little caterpillar? I think she’s a moth, but I was unable to figure out what kind. She was about three inches long. I imagine she’s flying by now.
The journey of transformation must be quite strange. That would be an interesting human experience too! But what would we turn into? Angels…no…maybe fairies!! 🙂
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Maybe we turn into bears. Or spirit-winds.
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Bears could be fun!! 😀
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To a Winged Brenda
In flight at
Night or by
Day, she fairies a
Song of joy, of
Love, hope and
Renewal. Hers are
The wings of
Life.
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Oh, Resa, you wrote me into a poem. And such a magical poem. I love it!! XOXO, Brenda
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XOXO 😀
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Interesting game of symbiosis and transformation. Very nice poem! 😉 All the best to you! Aquileana ⭐
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Thanks for your visit. I loved your post on flowers, too.
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I love how nature can bring up questions inside ourselves, about so many aspects of life. This is lovely. Those first several lines, the way they go back and forth, leading us in and in, are fabulous! x
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Thanks, Amy! I appreciate your words very much.
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Look at you with the beautiful wings and they have always been there through my eyes, Brenda. No need to pull a web around you and create a cocoon, you “busted out” already! 🙂 ❤
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Awww, thank you, Robin. Maybe you’re right. Maybe my poetry has freed me. How about you? Has poetry freed you?
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Stunningly beautiful poem. Love the transitions throughout. So fluid.
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Thanks, Kathryn!
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Great post, Brenda. I’m taking the liberty of posting a link to a quote that I paired with a photo of a luna moth that attached itself to a window screen at the library. I hope you like it. http://randomnoodling.blogspot.com/2015/05/lunar-moth.html
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I visited. What a lovely post, Diane. I’m glad you left a pointer.
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Lovely, Brenda. Transformation. Something we all long for.
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Thank you.
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Lovely! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thanks!
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Jaw dropping as always, Brenda! From your exceptional photos to your exquisite words, I am forever in awe.
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Thanks, Kiesha, I’m not sure what to say to such a glorious comment. You’re lovely.
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Ending this lovely poem with your question is perfect, Brenda! I have no idea what that caterpillar is but I can understand why you were “oohing and aahing” over it with your son. I found a crazy looking new-to-me caterpillar in the milkweed last weekend. I wish I could figure out how to attach a picture to this comment and see if you could id it for me!
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You should google monarch caterpillars and see if that’s it. Monarchs live on milkweed. If not, it’s your guess what it is.
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Apparently it’s a milkweed tussock caterpillar or milkweed tiger moth–quite a dramatic looking fellow with bristly tiger striped tufts.
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Very cool!
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That transformation never ceases to cause me wonder! I’ve been witnessing it all this late summer with the black swallowtails I’ve been fostering.
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How excellent to foster butterflies. Good for you.
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Wonderful
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Thanks!
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My daughter and I talk about amazing insects so often. Really, it just comes up! And one miracle if that transformation of which you just described. Is it a teen’s voice? I’m not sure, but I read it several times Brenda, enjoyed every part, and that picture, too.
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My son and I oohed and aahed over that caterpillar. I really wish I could have identified it. That’s half the fun of being a naturalist. I was hoping it was a luna moth, but those caterpillars look different. Oh, well. Perhaps one of my blogging friends will know.
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Just lovely! And…you are one of those that bring the light. Just be you! 🙂
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What a nice thing to say, thanks!
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Lovely poem and great photo, Brenda. Especially love “singing her wings on porch lights,” and how you captured that sense of wonder.
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Thanks, Jama. Hope you had a great summer.
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“Singing her wings” is a delightful image. Transformation is always possible!
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Thanks, Tabatha! I agree, we can always transform.
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Life is a risk…beautiful words.
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Thanks, Gigi. But flying is sure worth it.
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we all have to be willing to take the risk, breaking out of our safe cocoon, if we want the chance to fly –
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True. In my case, out of my comfort zone. 🙂
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Amazing pic and the perfect words to go along.
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Thank you!
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Gorgeous and thoughtful poem. A dream to read. Bravo Brenda.
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That is one massive caterpillar or whatever it is…
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Yes!
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