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Baxter Bug and the Purple Orb

Baxter was born in a meadow 
under a rotting plank
with hundreds of brothers and sisters
in a home both darkly and dank.

His momma was a June Bug 
and he was a June Bug too,
schooled in all the sorts of things
that June Bugs love to do.

He grew up fast, it was time to fly 
and leave his happy home,
his momma went to the book case
and pulled out a well worn tome.

She read from a chapter called "Hazards" 
to each of her children dear,
“Stay clear of birds when you’re flying 
or you won't last out the year."

"And one more thing that you should know, 
and this you must absorb,
beware of the light in the evening sky
that's called the purple orb."

So he left his home behind him, 
went flying all around,
he saw some birds in the tree tops
and headed right for the ground.

After landing in the tall grass 
he met a stink bug named Dwight
who told him wonderful stories
of an light so purple and bright.

"Forget now what your mother said, 
I'm here to set you straight,
the orb is just a doorway,
you know, it's like a gate."

"When you enter into its brightness 
you're magically swept away
to a lovely world of happiness
where forever you can stay."

So Baxter started searching, 
he looked both high and low
and if he found the purple orb
straight to it he would go.

But the light was very clever, 
it kept its secret well,
but Baxter kept on looking
as if he was under a spell.

Finally on an August eve 
just as darkness was appearing
he spotted a distant purple glow
across a meadow's clearing.

"It must be the orb,” he said to himself, 
so he flew with all his might
across the meadow with all due speed
toward that beautiful purple light.

Soon he hovered before it 
and bathed in its eerie glow,
what wonders lay in store for him
his mind could scarcely know.

Gathering up his courage 
into the purple light he sped,
crackle and zap was all he heard
as he fell to the ground near dead.

He lay in a growing pile 
of other bugs who'd seen
a purple orb up in the sky,
but it wasn't what it seemed.

So if you meet a stink bug 
who goes by the name is Dwight
don't believe the tales he tells
of a beautiful purple light.

Remember what Baxter's momma said, 
"and this you must absorb,
beware of the light in the evening sky
that's called the purple orb."

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 5/14/2024 6:13:00 AM
I would love to see this story in a children's book too. Enjoyed from start to finish. Gone to favs. Emilia : )
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J. Summers
Date: 5/15/2024 4:30:00 PM
Emilia, so good to hear from you. Glad you liked the poem. John
Date: 5/7/2021 3:09:00 PM
What a great poem! Try the book again. Children would love it, and so would their moms :)
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J. Summers
Date: 5/8/2021 4:57:00 PM
Hi Ann, glad you liked it and thanks for reading. John
Date: 3/7/2021 7:49:00 AM
This should be turned into a children’s book. Top shelf stuff from beginning to end.
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J. Summers
Date: 3/8/2021 2:10:00 PM
Thanks Richard. It nearly got into a children’s book of poems for a hospital in Nova Scotia but it fell through. John
Date: 1/31/2021 9:09:00 PM
Loved it! I had to keep reading to find out what the purple orb was, but I think I had an inkling from the beginning. Great idea for a poem and well-written, too.
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J. Summers
Date: 2/1/2021 2:06:00 PM
So glad you liked it, thanks for reading. John
Date: 1/26/2021 9:14:00 PM
Happy new year j.thats one poem that keeps you reading,I had to find out what happened.brilliant.take care.simon
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J. Summers
Date: 1/27/2021 4:25:00 PM
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Have a good one Simon. John
Date: 1/17/2021 4:55:00 PM
This is fantastic, J! You had me hanging on every line, every word. Couldn't wait to see what that 'purple orb' was! This is going straight into my FAVES. Thank you! Joy and Light (but not purple light), Gershon
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J. Summers
Date: 1/18/2021 8:53:00 PM
Thanks Gershon, glad you liked it. Have a good one. John
Date: 1/10/2021 9:21:00 PM
A lovely tale with a great moral. ~~
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J. Summers
Date: 1/10/2021 9:31:00 PM
Thank you Victor, am happy you liked it.
Date: 1/9/2021 8:14:00 PM
Absolutely charming ~ shame on Dwight that dirty stinker. Your storytelling skills are awesome.
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J. Summers
Date: 1/10/2021 9:33:00 PM
Thanks Line. Some time ago I joined a storytelling group and it has helped along those lines you mentioned.
Date: 1/4/2021 7:14:00 PM
This is a story worthy of a children's book. I loved the way it was told and the beautiful description. The underlying moral to the story --- Listen To Your Momma! and Don't Believe What Others Say!" Excellent write my friends. Bravo. God Bless, JB
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J. Summers
Date: 1/10/2021 2:53:00 PM
Thank you Judy, glad you liked it.
Date: 1/4/2021 3:50:00 AM
This is a brilliant write. I love it. You're gifted - love love love this. God bless you friend
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J. Summers
Date: 1/4/2021 12:46:00 PM
How nice of you to say, thank you Regina.
Date: 1/3/2021 8:03:00 AM
what an absolutely charming tale this would make a lovely book for children;-) hugs jan xx
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J. Summers
Date: 1/3/2021 12:49:00 PM
Thank you very much Jan. Actually, I wrote this for my niece...a sort of cautionary tale.

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry