Poem of the Week–MacLennan

Today begins the annual tracking of the Monarch butterfly migration. To follow the Monarchs, visit the website http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/News.html

Sonnet to a Young Daughter,
who is now an airline pilot

From fragile paper she cuts butterflies,
alluring yellow, orange-gold, spots of jet,
she unfolds identical matching pairs.
Eyes filled with wonder, her hands mimic flight—
the window is open. “Can monarchs fly?”

Under the glowing sun, the cocoon cracks:
From the aroma of earth a rising scent,
a wonder takes place as we witness how
from tabletop one rises, flutters, dips,
a wish has given birth to rushing wings,
like wild geese leaving for a warmer clime
everything changes yet nothing is lost.

At noon, the lift-off of millions we hear
as butterflies down the path disappear

Rosalind Lacy MacLennan
Washington D.C. Branch

Memories of “Melted crayons,” an activity this poet used to do with her daughter,
who became a pilot with the U.S. airliner (Continental Airlines/ExpressJet).
She now flies for Qatar Airways
Revised 2012 and read out loud at NLAPW holiday gathering
at the home of Patti Daly-Lipe, on December 15, 2012.

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