The insert is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail I snapped a pic of recently, the state butterfly of South Carolina. The pup is Rookie, who just turned 13 months old. (The "poodle cut" look on his left foreleg is because of elbow surgery he had in late June.) Rookie was taking in the morning next to a large pollinator garden at an airbnb cottage we stayed in last weekend outside of Asheville.
Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Um, who turned on August? One of my dear teacher friends just welcomed new students on Thursday. Cheers and loving vibes to all of you teachers and librarians getting a new school year off the ground.
Speaking of soaring... butterflies. (Well, Simone Biles, too, but - butterflies.) I've been enjoying the pictures Mary Lee Hahn has been posting of new Swallowtail butterflies she's shepherded into first flight from their chrysalis stage. Check out her curious.appreciative Instagram page here.
Last weekend my hubby and I, with our young post-elbow-surgery Keeshond, Rookie, stretched out Jeff's birthday week at a little airbnb cottage between Asheville and Black Mountain, NC. Next to the house was a large and lovingly tended pollinator garden. It was a bit wild, and though I didn't see many butterflies, it was literally buzzing with other winged creatures such as bees and smaller wingy-stingy flyers. Here's to coneflowers and black-eyed susans!
This week, even though I'm not terribly good at keeping up with Facebook, I stumbled upon a poem that has stuck with me. It was written by Edward Cody Huddleston, a poet, Haiku Society of America member, and radio professional in Georgia. I have noticed that whenever I happen upon one of Cody's haiku, it is likely to have garnered some impressive award from near or far. I can't keep up with his accolades, but I'm a big fan. Here's why:
her new name
the crack in the chrysalis
widens
©Edward Cody Huddleston
This poem received an award in the New Zealand Poetry Society International Poetry Competition. Congratulations, Cody, and thank you for letting me share your poem!
Click here for Cody's Haikupedia bio.
Now, flutter on over to see the ever-productive and thoughtful Laura Purdie Salas (she has a new book just out!), graciously hosting our Roundup this week.