Poem: "Tattered Butterflies"
This poem is the freebie for the January 5, 2021 Poetry Fishbowl reaching its $150 goal. It was written outside the regular prompt calls. It belongs to the series Arts and Crafts America.
"Tattered Butterflies"
[September 2020]
In autumn, Marla saw
the monarchs making
their way south on
tattered wings.
She knew that
they needed help
to make the long trip,
and now there were
fewer flowers on the way.
So Marla bought spools
of colorful thread and
spent the cold season
tatting butterflies.
[January 2021]
In the new year, Marla
sold the colorful butterflies
that she had tatted.
There were bookmarks
and lace collars, earrings
and pendants and bracelets.
Some were just butterflies
made of delicate lace,
suitable for framing.
Marla used the money
to order seeds and
plants for a garden
she planned in spring.
[April 2021]
As soon as the weather
warmed, Marla went outside.
She dug up a patch of grass
and planted a butterfly garden.
She planted common milkweed
and butterfly weed for the monarchs,
dill, fennel, and parsley for swallowtails,
mallow and hollyhock for painted ladies
so their caterpillars would have food.
For the adults, Marla put out
spring phlox, summer ironweed,
purple coneflower, verbena, zinnia,
fall asters, sedum, and sunflowers
to provide plenty of nectar.
The garden would wind up
a bit tattered from caterpillars,
but hopefully the adults would thrive.
* * *
Notes:
See some butterfly tatting patterns.
Plant a butterfly garden with host and nectar plants. Prairie Moon Nursery marks some of its entries with the butterflies supported by that plant. Wildflowermix is one of several nurseries offering blends of seeds native to specific regions.
"Tattered Butterflies"
[September 2020]
In autumn, Marla saw
the monarchs making
their way south on
tattered wings.
She knew that
they needed help
to make the long trip,
and now there were
fewer flowers on the way.
So Marla bought spools
of colorful thread and
spent the cold season
tatting butterflies.
[January 2021]
In the new year, Marla
sold the colorful butterflies
that she had tatted.
There were bookmarks
and lace collars, earrings
and pendants and bracelets.
Some were just butterflies
made of delicate lace,
suitable for framing.
Marla used the money
to order seeds and
plants for a garden
she planned in spring.
[April 2021]
As soon as the weather
warmed, Marla went outside.
She dug up a patch of grass
and planted a butterfly garden.
She planted common milkweed
and butterfly weed for the monarchs,
dill, fennel, and parsley for swallowtails,
mallow and hollyhock for painted ladies
so their caterpillars would have food.
For the adults, Marla put out
spring phlox, summer ironweed,
purple coneflower, verbena, zinnia,
fall asters, sedum, and sunflowers
to provide plenty of nectar.
The garden would wind up
a bit tattered from caterpillars,
but hopefully the adults would thrive.
* * *
Notes:
See some butterfly tatting patterns.
Plant a butterfly garden with host and nectar plants. Prairie Moon Nursery marks some of its entries with the butterflies supported by that plant. Wildflowermix is one of several nurseries offering blends of seeds native to specific regions.