Lesson from a Giant Swallowtail

I've been expecting himsince his mother scatteredhurried shadows overthe orange tree two weeks ago.Still, when it comes, his reveal is sudden as the lightning boltson his velvet wings,the morning mist nearlyconcealing his midnight black,his Fred Astaire elegance. But this is 2020, a yearthat staggers to the endholding its head in its hands,and even his butterflyperfection… Continue reading Lesson from a Giant Swallowtail

To My Grand-daughter, about Nature

Sometimes they’re perturbed by me—your parents—for leading you astraywhen I answer yes, you can climb that tree.How many chances come your way in a lifetime to look beyond, to see downto the ground and then sway with the riverof existence in that limber brownbranch, to feel the coil and shiver of a western wind in… Continue reading To My Grand-daughter, about Nature