This Wasn’t What I Thought
Not orange leaves, but wings
called wanderer—black-veined brown
found resting on winter’s lawn.
Perfectly still— this monarch blends
in. No harm done, in spite of its weight;
its barbed feet anchored to sand.
Left untouched, meaning
this wasn’t what I thought—
that I have never truly understood
how insignificant death is until it happens.
M.J. Iuppa’s fourth poetry collection is This Thirst (Kelsay Books, 2017).For the past 31 years, she has lived on a small farm near the shores of Lake Ontario. Check out her blog: mjiuppa.blogspot.com for her musings on writing, sustainability & life’s stew.
Beautiful! 🕊
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There’s a wonderful light touch at work here. And the last line delivers the goods. Very nice.
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