Notes About The Poem

Elegy for a Dragonfly: A Sonnet

Its wings were double fronds of gauzy green,
its fragile form a long and tapered flair—
this fallen dragonfly I had not seen
before, when I had walked out on my stair.
I bent and saw that it was not alive,
its body crushed, its wings ravaged and torn.
Yet something of its beauty still survived—
a remnant of the luster it had borne.
I marveled at such elegance in death,
a noble creature, still, upon my stair.
A wave of melancholy took my breath,
and eyes welled for a thing so fine and rare.

I put the grief away and dried my eyes.
Such is the way of tears and dragonflies.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Blackburn Avatar
August 19, 2024 at 4:50 PM
I really like this poem. I love insects and dragonflies in general, so this caught my interest right off the bat. The way you used the words crushed, ravaged, torn along with the general beauty of this poem just spoke to me. I don’t know how to put it in words exactly lol. It reminds me of how fleeting beauty is
La France Avatar
August 7, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Katherine, congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderful and amazing elegy poem, I liked it a lot, well done, and congrats on the POTD too, Constance
Rodrigues Avatar
July 25, 2024 at 7:47 PM
Congrats on POTD! My grandson was grieving the bee in the driveway. Compassionate hearts.
Vaso Avatar
July 23, 2024 at 10:29 PM
Loved this beautiful poem.
Alex Avatar
July 23, 2024 at 5:57 PM
"I put the grief away and dried my eyes. Such is the way of tears and dragonflies." - A grand writing. Congratulations!
Junaid Avatar
July 23, 2024 at 5:01 AM
this touched me deeply. a haunting poem.
Goldsmith Avatar
July 21, 2024 at 9:21 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. What a wonderful write for a dragonfly. I enjoyed reading this one. Have a great day with your POTD win.........................
Wolf Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 9:00 PM
This is quite the elegy for the dragonfly. Takes a wide-open eye and sensitive soul to pen this one. Congrats on potd!
Bartley Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 5:59 PM
WOW. A very worthy honorable POTD. Definitely one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 3:52 PM
Your elegy is the most sensitive and touching poem I have come across in a long time! Death can be elegant...your portrayal of the Dragonfly is done so masterfully with such a tender and loving touch! Best wishes ~ Mala
Rone Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 2:43 PM
I loved your last line Katherine, the best amoung those superb combinations you so gracefully and sensitive penned. Congratulations on yiur POTD. Best - Ken
Nicole Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 1:40 PM
' I marveled at such elegance in death. ' This thought made my eyes misty. Your thoughts are tender, beautiful and emotional, all at the same time. Life and then death, it truly makes you think. Congratulations Katharine, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Hind Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 1:25 PM
Hey! Congrats on your POTD! :)
Slaughter Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 10:25 AM
A captivating piece, Katharine, and congrats on POTD.
Rodgers Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 7:24 AM
Dear Katherine what a beautiful elegy and speaks so much to our own lives. Congratulations on POTD! - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
May Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 6:40 AM
Very nicely crafted, Congrats on POTD
M  Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 5:32 AM
Just beautiful Katherine! Congratulations on POTD! Debx
Kaufman Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 3:59 AM
Dear Katherine,, This is so masterly composed I felt I was reading a classic poet. Absolutely lovely penning here. Congratulations on this POTD and have a blessed day.
Lawless Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 3:52 AM
WOW...I shall give you a Boston "WICKED AWESOME" for this magnificent ode to the dragonfly...an elegy encased in a sonnet...so similar to the dragonfly itself..
Sparrow Avatar
July 23, 2024 at 11:09 AM
Thanks John, from sea-sprayed Cape Cod!
Seeker Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 3:15 AM
So, so sensitive and tender ~ warmest congratulations on POTD
Greenhough Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 1:05 AM
This beautiful poem of nature rings with poetic sadness in a thoughtful elegy. Congratulations on POTD.
Lillico  Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 12:52 AM
Congratulations Katharine, what an elegant tribute to “such elegance in death”!
Jones Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 12:35 AM
What a lovely poem and such a tender beautiful heart you have to write it! Congratulations on your potd!
Theraven Avatar
July 20, 2024 at 12:03 AM
Katharine, Such is the love.., so much survived in this last flight. Yours for the telling. -Richard
Hind Avatar
July 19, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Wow, this is really beautiful, Katharine. Has a haunting tone....so delicate
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