We looked for ladybugs along the beach
This sunny, nearly summer afternoon.
The river made them difficult to reach
In rocky spots. But still we searched, and soon
The water's edge was poorer for our quest.
Some thirty found their home a hummus cup,
With sticks and leaves tossed in to make a nest
Where they'd been having trouble standing up.
We lost a few, with opening and closing.
As newer ones arrived, a few got out,
And three or four apparently were dozing,
Or something I don't want to think about.
Such prettiness made little sacrifice:
The ladybugs were given to their mother.
Perhaps they knew she needed something nice,
From me, for saying one thing or another.
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Alysa Salzberg
Melissa Miles McCarter
Scarlett Sumac
jlsathre
Matt Paust
Jowita Bydlowska
Salon.com
Comments
@triology. How's that for a comment from a "real" person?
tril: Yes, your comment was helpful, after the spam comment from the discount clothes hucksters. I do appreciate the way OS clears these out -- I've heard that it's a problem for independent bloggers.
rita: I think you're right. When I go through the snapshots in my mind, my favorites are days like this. The kids' excitement at the discovery (it was our first day of lady bugs) rained down on me from their voices, each time they rescued another one from the wet sand.
dlv: Thank you. That is an extremely high compliment. But there is effort, sometimes excrutiatingly so. The magic is that sometimes, the word that rhymes also opens my eyes to something I hadn't admitted to myself before.
Thanks again, everyone. You all make my day.