The Gilded Edge

You are that

Asclepias tuberosa, the butterfly weed

clouds veiled
bluebird sky

sneakers laced
clasp fastened

Henrietta and I set out
intent?
to stretch our reach

solvitur ambulando
It is solved by walking.

bipedal tethered to quadrupedal
cross highway ES
onto road less traveled

first we met horses
nickers drew their gaze

followed by three black Angus
whose curiosity welcomed my voiced hello

it was when the rooster crowed
I knew
we were in for some serious observation

Henny planted her bottom at drive’s edge
we watched
until my patience wore thin

leaving cock-a-doodle-do behind
I connected dots
betwixt
observers and what they watch
each part of whole

separation
illusory

yet incredibly powerful
none the less

chipmunk escaped
canine grasp
by tiniest tip of tail

and

bluebird feet rested on asphalt
time
stood
still
before he rose to electric line height

twoleg and fourleg
carried on
one musing

I
am
that

---

When I still had a young boy to pal around with, we found a tiny egg on a milkweed leaf. I cut the plant’s stem and placed leafy greens in our lidded, glass, tea dispenser.

We watched.
The egg became a caterpillar.
The caterpillar grew, hung upside down, and overnight spun a chrysalis—a fine gold gilded place for transformation.
When the monarch hatched, we were present.
Transferred to a colorful patio pot, the winged paused to stretch and exercise before setting off for parts unknown.

you are that
part of the process
of life