Thursday, August 10, 2023

Swallowtail (photograph by the author), Sonnet #609

 











The tiger swallowtail settled

In our Gomphrena Fireworks

Yesterday afternoon sipping

From dozens of pink blooms.

It became crazily nettled

And flew in wild fits and jerks

When a spicebush swallowtail, tipping

Its wings among the blossoms,

Exiled the tiger from its lair.

The wind pushed black wings apart

So wide they ceased to be a pair,

But held fast until the gust died.

The tiger landed like a dart,

But, like the wind, was again denied.


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