Driving to work, I have the immense pleasure of passing by an expanse of the Mississippi River. My first poem was inspired by these trips in the last few weeks. Most people know of my affinity for the Monarch Butterfly that spans almost two decades. But, when I first came to Wisconsin, I learned of another Butterfly – The Karner Blue – that has an amazing recovery story in our state, where it finds home in our remnant sand prairie habitats. And, my last poem is about the Bur Oak Tree, which I only recently have come to appreciate! Enjoy! These are my submissions to Poetry Friday, hosted this week by: Live Your Poem.
The Great Muddy Comes Alive
A famous, flowing river, frozen still.
Silent, non-moving, but intimidating your will.
Power, temporarily stalled, while ice
blocks surface currents from the rushed swirling
that calls fragments to move.
One Spring Day in March, open spots magically appear.
Birds, no Eagles, a dozen or more dot the surface
of the still firm frozen shelf near the flowing water’s edge.
Further down, Pelicans float and Tundra Swans swim.
The Great Muddy welcomes spring and moves again.
Another Butterfly
Oh, Karner Blue!
Where are You?
Knowing you might be near,
I filled my gardens with the Wild Blue Lupine
you hold so dear.
A tiny specimen of Lepidoptera, elusive to even
those who would like to see
you flitting and
fluttering in the sea of purple blooms.
Another butterfly dependent on one plant with
disappearing habitat unless you know where it’s at.
Sand Prairie Remnants are calling you home,
Oh, Karner Blue, don’t be alone!
The Lone Bur Oak
Stately Magistrate of Midwestern Byways
the massive bur oak signals strength
from its wide furrowed trunk to the
craggy, twisted black branched arms reaching out
into the blue sky, against a snowy white blanket.
Easy to recognize, this native father.
I love the glimpses of your state these poems give.
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Thanks so much! I really didn’t think of it that way but you are right….they do give a little peek at Wisconsin! 🙂
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Love reading each one, especially poignant with your photos. I haven’t heard of the Karner blue, hope they visit you this spring!
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Such beautiful glimpses of your butterflies, trees, and waterways. I love that you fill your garden with what the Karner Blue likes. We get Monarch butterflies, so lots of people grow milkweed around here.
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Thanks! We are only on the edge of the range for this butterfly but do have some local habitat that would support it. I have been a monarch conservationist for 16 years and have three types of milkweed in my home gardens! I love teaching school children and community members about the amazing monarch! Glad to know people are invested in them where you are as well! Thanks, again!
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