Instars
(the phases between molting
in the development of an insect)
in the development of an insect)
You will wear several skins
and outgrow all of them.
and outgrow all of them.
So leave them behind you
like plastic wrappers,
or human dresses
discarded in the rain.
like plastic wrappers,
or human dresses
discarded in the rain.
Feel the relief
of each release,
the freedom
to expand again.
of each release,
the freedom
to expand again.
Wanderer
Curious light-footed
creatures of the sky,
creatures of the sky,
in a journey
of generations
of generations
everyone knows the way:
south ahead of the first frost,
south ahead of the first frost,
wait,
then wheel north again.
then wheel north again.
Your antennae: one magnetic compass
guiding you back to the same trees
your great-great-grandparents knew
or, if the winds are right, you could
escape tradition: fly somewhere
entirely new.
Pairing
Like everything, it comes back
to reproduction. You must
live long enough to do it.
to reproduction. You must
live long enough to do it.
Your colours –
for all their allure
are merely
for all their allure
are merely
a camouflage, a warning,
a way to impress.
a way to impress.
We might migrate
or even sleep long and still
like icicles
through winter frost
or even sleep long and still
like icicles
through winter frost
but once mated
not one of us will live
to see our young.
not one of us will live
to see our young.
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