The Journey of Beauty, Fourth Generation Born
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The Monarch Butterfly is the only insect that migrates over 2,500 miles to hibernate in a warmer climate. However, the return trip is not made by the same butterfly that first flew it. That responsibility becomes that of the newborn butterflies before they return home. Also, while normal butterflies usually die after 2 to 6 weeks, the fourth generation of the Monarch does not lay eggs right away when it is born in late summer. Instead, it fills up on nectar so it can make its long journey south where it will sleep for about five months before repopulating its species (which then flies back to the north)!
From egg to pupa
and then to caterpillar -
its life has started.
When squeezed from its chrysalis,
the miracle has blossomed.
Flitting through meadows,
Beauty seeks its nourishment
beneath August skies,
delicately alighting
on a spray of goldenrod.
Petal to petal
and stem to succulent stem,
the monarch fills up
on the nectar that it needs
for its ultimate journey.
For hundred of miles,
an orange flurry of wings
crosses southern skies.
Reaching its destination,
Beauty falls to long slumber.
The butterfly wakes
with one purpose to fulfill.
New eggs must be laid
because the journey back home
cannot be this monarch’s own.
For one final time,
this fourth generation born
flits among gold blooms,
reveling in its last days -
its measure of creation.
Written by Andrea Dietrich
(I learned some interesting facts about Monarchs
researching for this poem. Click on "About This Poem")
Inspired by Gail Doyle's
A Butterfly's Trail Of Kisses Poetry Contest
Copyright © Andrea Dietrich | Year Posted 2012
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