The Moth and I

Hoping in vain for the sun to quickly dry
wings
not ready for flight
while the storm clouds
lean to the earth in their heaviness.
It was a mistake to choose
this very place
to hope.
Mothness senses that and
flutters wings to hasten the process.

Slightly, intermittently at first
to avoid detection.
but the dog was watching.
The playful attack I averted would have been fatal.
Moth only knew the air and earth shook
and somehow through some unfathomable connection
there was time
to risk
frantic fluttering.

Success this time.
Safer harbor from the storm.

I was left wondering
In the far long reaching secret society of Mothdom
will they call her crazy, or give her a feast day?

Comments: 13

Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 17, 2009, 11:43am EDT

That's awesome!

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d g. Sep 17, 2009, 11:47am EDT

Dog and Moth, a crazy feast should follow! Fun, thanks.

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Wesley W. Sep 17, 2009, 11:49am EDT

Probably both.

Debbie G. Sep 17, 2009, 11:50am EDT

*Laughing* Yes, I expect both, Wes.

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Dannielle S. Sep 17, 2009, 12:20pm EDT

I love that you watched this little drama play out and shared the story!

Years ago, my father used to watch the woolly bear caterpillars to see what sort of winter was ahead -- something about the amount of brown or black in their coloring was supposed to be a clue. One year, because of all the attention these marvelous caterpillars got, I decided to see what became of them, and I brought an egg carton with five or six woolly bear caterpillars and a supply of leaves to our science class. They became the prettiest gold-winged moths! I watch for them, now.

Debbie G. Sep 17, 2009, 12:32pm EDT

Dannielle I had forgotten that very story from my childhood. Yes, it was supposed to predict the severity of winter. What a lovely comment. You made me smile. I never raised them and am pleased to learn what they look like when they emerge.

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Verie Sandborg Sep 17, 2009, 1:24pm EDT

I can identify with your identification with the moth. I often do that sort of thing when I'm with nature. It always gives me food for thought. You've expressed yourself so well.

Debbie G. Sep 17, 2009, 9:37pm EDT

Thank you Verie. I wasn't sure with this piece that I had. :)

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Roy ☯ Hilbinger Sep 17, 2009, 2:32pm EDT

I'm with Wesley - both. After all, read some of the "lives of the saints" books and you'll see there's a certain amount of "crazy" risk associated with holiness. Certainly Francesco Bernardone (later to be known as St. Francis of Assisi) had a reputation for reckless abandon.

But then again, your moth friend seems to have been caught unaware rather than gone looking for trouble, which is a state most of us get caught in all too frequently. We weren't trying to be risky, the damned storm came up out of nowhere! Which makes me wonder if we can all become accidental saints.