gnarled cecropia
I am in the aural duct
always gone again
(Weekly Magnetic Poetry Challenge • July 20–26, 2026)
The invisible disease still lingered in the air.
But it was not as predominate as the smoke that could be smelled everywhere.
After Ura, the demon of plagues, began to fall into her one hundred year slumber
The more powerful demon of division roared with thunder.
Not even old, greying Joe could stop him as he laid in his coffin.
The lotus princess took over the presidency and he was forgotten.
When the golden goddess' elephants died, all she could do is cry.
She looked up at the sky and asked God "Why?".
Into her open hand a hardened silkworm cocoon fell.
As it began to break out of its shell,
Its wings filled up with blood and strengthened.
Brown, strong cecropia moth wings lengthened.
"TO STRENGTHEN YOU FOR WHAT IS TO COME" God's voice advised. "YOU MUST BE STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFEND THE HUMAN RACE AND YOUR EARTH FROM THE DARKNESS THAT WILL INVADE SOON".
Dumbfound innocent
Climbing the Cecropia
Slow motion at best
Cecropia, transported through the night
on satin wings lined white in their design,
hovers over innocence by moon’s shine.
A fragrant bloom has stopped him in his flight,
and on a petal he prepares to light.
He ceases fluttering so as to dine
on that sweet nectar of his valentine.
And I alone am witness to this sight.
The moth and orchid's union gladdens me
as wayside, I am frozen where I stand,
for what I've found, though simple it may be,
has purpose and is nothing short of grand.
Now captured by the beauty that I see,
I let my net slip gently from my hand.
For Brian Strand's "Any Poem of 2011" Contest
Cecropia is carried through the night
on satin wings lined white in their design,
hovers over innocence by moonshine.
A fragrant flower has stopped him in his flight,
and on a petal he prepares to light.
He ceases fluttering so as to dine
upon sweet nectar of his valentine.
And I alone am witness to this sight.
The moth and orchid's union gladdens me
as wayside, I am frozen where I stand,
for what I've found, though simple it may be,
has purpose and is nothing short of grand.
Now captured by the beauty that I see,
I let my net slip gently from my hand.
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