December 23, 2023 - 8:13 am
I.
Everything was as expected.
The sun rose and kissed the holly tree,
recalling the robins, wrens, and chickadees to song,
and skimmed the unfolding leaves
of the Swiss cheese plant
that’s taught me the fine art
of watch-and-wait watering.
Everything was normal.
The cats, bathing in pools of winter sun,
yawned, stretched, and swiped at one another
with scythe-like claws,
reminding each another
who’s boss
(Hint - it’s not me).
Everything was the same -
the hum of traffic three blocks away,
the smell of dryer sheets (lavender on steroids),
the stink of leaf blowers passing gas
and shredding the air
as they pushed dusty leaves
back and forth across the parking lot.
II.
Everything is the same,
but it’s not.
The tissue paper sheets of beliefs,
stretched between frames of assumptions,
are brittle and torn.
They flap in the breath of last night’s storm
whispering ocean-scented secrets to the trees.
I imagine this is how the monarch feels
her body compelled to climb to dangerous heights,
to cling to a single twig,
to curl and turn in on itself,
turn inside out to expose
a green and glistening chrysalis
of newborn skin.
Inside,
unseen, unmarked, unnoticed
by any but her own soft light
she descends into dissolution,
embracing loss,
embracing the cost of deconstruction
and the promise of rebirth.
III.
Emergence
is its own special ordeal.
There is no guarantee
that still damp wings
and thread thin legs will unfold,
the proboscis unroll to drink
or the antennae taste the air.
It’s all a total crapshoot,
which pisses me off
(on her behalf and mine),
and holds me awestruck and breathless
as she accepts my proffered finger,
tests the luminous air with orange-black wings,
and gives herself to flight. - J.B
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Jena, your poem is a poignant reflection on change, resilience, and the cycles of life, vividly portrayed through the lens of nature and personal observation.
The first section opens with a serene depiction of daily life. Phrases like "The sun rose and kissed the holly tree" and "recalling the robins, wrens, and chickadees to song" paint a vivid, tranquil picture, evoking the gentle beauty of nature in awakening. The detailed observations of the Swiss cheese plant and the cats lounging in sunlit comfort suggest a deep familiarity and connection with one's surroundings.
However, the ordinary is juxtaposed with the subtly disruptive: "the stink of leaf blowers passing gas," contrasting the natural serenity with human intrusions. This hints at a deeper underlying tension between the natural world and human presence.
Transitioning to the second section, the poem takes a philosophical turn. "The tissue paper sheets of beliefs, stretched between frames of assumptions" metaphorically suggests how fragile and vulnerable our perceptions and understandings of the world can be. The imagery of the storm whispering "ocean-scented secrets to the trees" beautifully captures the idea of nature communicating profound truths beyond human comprehension.
The monarch butterfly's transformation is a central metaphor in this section. It symbolizes the process of profound change, highlighting both the vulnerability and the inherent strength in transformation. The description of the butterfly's metamorphosis, from climbing to the creation of the chrysalis, is laden with metaphors for personal growth, the pain of change, and the hope for renewal.
The final section, "Emergence," speaks to the uncertainty and unpredictability of life's outcomes. The phrase "It’s all a total crapshoot" strikes a note of frustration, acknowledging that despite struggles and transformations, nothing is guaranteed. Yet, this section also embodies awe and admiration for the resilience of life, as seen in the butterfly's emergence and tentative first flight.
The butterfly's acceptance of the speaker's finger and its subsequent flight symbolizes trust, courage, and the leap of faith required to embrace change. The speaker's mixed feelings – frustration, awe, and wonder – reflect the complex emotions associated with witnessing and experiencing growth and transformation.
The poem masterfully weaves together observations of nature with deep emotional and philosophical introspection. It speaks to the universal experience of change, the pain and beauty of growth, and the awe-inspiring resilience found in the natural world. Through its vivid imagery and thoughtful metaphors, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys of transformation and the delicate balance of life's constants and uncertainties.
G xo
Wow....that was beautiful Jena. Wow.