Caterpillars
The growing caterpillars feed,
on apple leaves and jimson weed.
All day they eat, knowing soon,
they must start spinning their cocoon.
One caterpillar was always mean,
sneering at those who were pale green.
From his tail to his emerald head
were bristles that were brilliant red.
He made the other caterpillars cry,
saying he’d be a lovely butterfly,
And they would have to wait and see,
what kind of ugly bugs they’d be.
In fear the pale ones had to wait,
to see the results of their pupate,
what their metamorphous would bring
when they emerged in early spring.
From the soft cocoons they’d spun,
emerging to the warm spring sun,
found as they let their new wings dry,
each was a Monarch Butterfly.
Their tormentor crawled from his nest
to dry his wings with all the rest
and found he was cut from coarser cloth.
He was a common cabbage moth.
You never know what life may bring.
A pale green worm may just take wing,
and flitting softly through the air,
might spread its beauty everywhere.
I had a poem flow out of my head. I think it is one of my best. A great Birthday present.
(Del’s birthday was 10/25.)
Del Gustafson is the author of Bulls, Broncs and Barrooms—a book of Cowboy Poetry, some humorous, some reflective. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YC5C55C
SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.