*Image of Purple Emperor butterflies by Nat'l Trust.
Oh-Murasaki
Empire of Japan
the chrysanthemum throne rules
the country in part
the *Great Purple Emperor
butterfly floats o'er its realm
*Japan's National Butterfly
2022 April 08
*1st Place*
A BRIAN STRAND STANDARD
~~Brian Strand: Judged 2022 April 09
Categories:
purple emperor, flying, imagery, insect, meaningful,
Form: Tanka
So rare and elusive is the Purple Emperor butterfly
His hue allied to royalty; his nickname is His Majesty
With rather filthy habits like devouring flesh and dung
Despite his royal epithet; no ceremony or pageantry
In summer he awaits, as racy females gather for some fun
He has been known to brawl and displays too much pugnacity
A large and bright Nymphalidae, deep purple in the sun
I dream one day this Purple King will land upon my balcony
Written 16th January 2019
Contest: Purple
Sponsor: Kevin Shaw
Contest: Standard Contest 165
Sponsor Brian Strand
Contest: Rhyme Battle XII
Sponsor: Juli-MIchelle
Categories:
purple emperor, butterfly, flying, purple,
Form: Rhyme
Adder,badger
barn owl
black hairstreak
silver studded blue
damsel fly
fritillary
sundew-
Marsh helleborine
Duke of Burgundy
goat willow too-
Porcelain fungus
purple emperor
quaking grass
skylark
bush cricket
curlew-
Dowy emerald
bluebell
wild service tree
Gentian
corncockle
widgeon
chalk hill blue
inspired by BBOWT WILD LIFE CHAMPIONS
Categories:
purple emperor, bereavement, nature,
Form: Free verse