The Metamorphosis of the Monarch Butterfly
Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009
by Nenita Wells
Enchanting butterfly with its tantalizing colors,
Human beings blushed envious of its beauty.
Transforming itself from a lowly minute egg,
Nicknamed as the "King" of the butterflies.
Its life cycle so fascinating,
Migrating southward searching for a warm abode.
A sanctuary found aided by an inner compass,
Pointing, flying, escaping the wintry chills.
Living in the life-sustaining milkweed leaves,
Protected from being consumed.
Its complex life cycle commences,
A homely caterpillar is ready to be transformed.
A silk-like pad is its link to a branch,
In a shape of a "J" it hangs upside down for a day.
Five times the caterpillar sheds its skin,
In seconds, a green casing is revealed.
The soft chrysalis becomes a hardened shell,
Masquerading the dramatic changes within,
As wings and proboscis lithely form,
Limbs and body parts are now evidently moving.
The hardened shell chrysalis is now transparent,
Orange and black wings apparently showing,
Struggling to emerge now beautifully transformed.
It majestically earned its monarch's name.
Can our lives mimic the life cycle of a monarch?
We are often confronted by impassable challenges.
Overcoming, surviving and ingeniously adapting life's changes.
Yes, we are beautiful like the magnificent monarch!
Human beings blushed envious of its beauty.
Transforming itself from a lowly minute egg,
Nicknamed as the "King" of the butterflies.
Its life cycle so fascinating,
Migrating southward searching for a warm abode.
A sanctuary found aided by an inner compass,
Pointing, flying, escaping the wintry chills.
Living in the life-sustaining milkweed leaves,
Protected from being consumed.
Its complex life cycle commences,
A homely caterpillar is ready to be transformed.
A silk-like pad is its link to a branch,
In a shape of a "J" it hangs upside down for a day.
Five times the caterpillar sheds its skin,
In seconds, a green casing is revealed.
The soft chrysalis becomes a hardened shell,
Masquerading the dramatic changes within,
As wings and proboscis lithely form,
Limbs and body parts are now evidently moving.
The hardened shell chrysalis is now transparent,
Orange and black wings apparently showing,
Struggling to emerge now beautifully transformed.
It majestically earned its monarch's name.
Can our lives mimic the life cycle of a monarch?
We are often confronted by impassable challenges.
Overcoming, surviving and ingeniously adapting life's changes.
Yes, we are beautiful like the magnificent monarch!
By Nenita Wells
10/17/2009
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The author was born in one of the 7,100 islands in the Philippines, in Leyte where the famous American five-star general, Douglas MacArthur landed during WWII. She is one of eight children, and she has thirty-five nieces and nephews. She was raised by her parents to be a good Christian. Attended public school both in Elementary and High School in the Philippines. She went to college under the work and study program, earned her bachelor's degree with honors and her first paid full-time job was as secretary to the High School Principal, her first boss was a Benedictine Sister from Germany who was the Administrator of the Catholic school. She lived in New York City from 1977 to 2004 and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She loves to read and write poetry.
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More commentsGreat article (poetry). I really like how you melded people and the butterfly together. Made me stop and think.Thank you so much Linda for the five stars. (LOL) I am appreciative of your taking time to read and comment. The monarch's transformation is so awesome that we know for certain that their beauty is a blessing to us.Have a good evening.~Nenita~
Nicely done. Great thoughts to reflect on and relate to our own lives.Hi Jim. Thank you so much for your kind words, meant a lot to me. I appreciate very much your stopping by, reading and commenting. Thank you a million times for the free subscription of the "How to Live Debt Free" I will definitely buy your book. ~Nenita~That is great Nenita. I sincerely hope it is helpful to you!Yes, it is and thank you so much.
Wow, you are a great writer! Im trying to remember what type of poem this is constructed as...the name is escaping me right now but you did it beatifully! Reading this was almost like watching it happen, GREAT job!Thank you so much for your kind words and warm comments. Your reading and commenting gave me the inspiration to write the next poem. I am glad you liked it. Best to you and yours, ~Nenita~
The other night a small white banded w/ yellow butterfly station inside the house. The kids were overwhelmed and curious. Kept observing it. Hesistant to touch and do any danger to it. Until they feel sleepy. This morning it passed away. Kids pick it up and buried it. There were lots of question by the kids. Yes, the butterfly is such a wonderful and beautiful creature. Short life but contributed much. Esp those awesome colors. Thanks for contributing a poem about the butterfly. Well done.Thanks Norman for the warm comments and kind words. Once, I have seen this monarch butterfly in Baguio, more than one hundred I assumed because they covered the entire tree. I can't remember the name of the tree. I wondered how they reached Baguio since their path is going towards Mexico. I don't know maybe those Monarch Butterflies are the Filipino breed.Best regards to you and yours. God bless and good health.
Hello Tita. I like your poem. And i really like butterflies.Our life is full of colors like the butterflies so colorful and beautiful. We have our ups and downs but once were down we will stand up and back to our feet.take care and we miss you. Love you. God bless. take care alwaysHi Odette. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. What you said are true, the Monarch butterfly has three colors: black, white and orange and those colors represents the ups and downs and being back on our feet. We are beautiful like the Monarch. Take good care and God bless to you and to the family.
I love butterflies, although I don't see them too much out here in California. But growing up in the east coast...saw them all the time. Thanks for taking me back! :)Hi Sheila. Thank you for stopping by, reading and commenting, I appreciate it very much and thanks for the high rating of 5 stars. I am glad my poem helped. Best regards to you and yours, ~Nenita~
just so wonderful.. everything fits so right.. i mean, butterfly is just so beautiful and just so wonderful.. great poem!Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I am glad you liked my poem and the butterfly. I appreciate the kind words. God bless. ~Nenita~
its deep.makes senseThank you for stopping by, reading and commenting. I appreciate very much your time and effort.Wishing you a wonderful day. ~Nenita~
Nenita,You are warm, exciting, graceful,and inviting. I felt your hug and kind words that says-- be human and be free. I applaud a well written piece and alot of humanity.With warmest regards,LawrenceLawrence, I am humbled by your kind, generous words and warm thoughts. It delights me when someone appreciates the message of my poem. The Monarch butterfly struggled to emerge to become one of the most beautiful insects. I am truly grateful for the generosity of your time, your support and encouragement. Wishing you a wonderful day!
I remain a true fan of yours,
~Nenita~
Very descriptive and flowing poem. Enjoyable and about a lovely subject. Am saving this one for my granddaughter who loves poetry.Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot to me. I appreciate very much your taking the time to read and comment. I hope your granddaughter will enjoy reading the poem. Thanks again for stopping by. ~Nenita~
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