today, postcards from paradise
is dedicated to
the most ephemeral of all creatures,
the monarch butterfly.
gorgeous, winged, fragile;
her delicate presence
inspires from earliest childhood,
throughout the gardens of our entire lives.
such a perfect embodiment of
resurrection, transformation, rebirth;
the winged hope of willingness, acceptance, perseverance, fortitude.
monarch from the beach of elizabeth bunsen at
you are the quintessential sojourner,
gliding on airstreams in a 3,000 mile migration
each spring and fall,
a life cycle taking several generations to complete.
monarch from elizabeth bunsen
be dream play
living fully one fleeting day at a time,
i want to inspire anyone you have ever delighted with
your painted charmed wings;
to be a part of your epic journey.
your survival depends on the bright blossoms
and each nurturing leaf of
spread across the entire length of your migration corridor.
milkweed, once immeasurable gorgeous swaths
blanketing whole continents,
perfect nurseries for your chrysalis miracles
to emerge and feast.
photo generously shared from
your decline now linked directly
to the demise of this perfect hospitable plant.
in the cycle of Asclepias,
our milkweed from last summer stands like
silent luminous candles preparing
to dry like so many rattles of autumn before bursting their seed wishes free.
this morning as the earth warms up to spring
and we are all dizzy with thoughts of sowing our favorite seeds,
my hope is you will include a generous swath of
Asclepias in your garden.
together we can be invaluable waystations of beauty and sustenance
in the monarchs epic journey.
earthnotes: milkweeds for monarchs
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i have seen these magnificent monarch butterflies in the central coast, hanging together from eucalyptus trees (i believe). then later in the cycle in i have seen them scattered on the ground at esalan. i have to admit to feeling a heavy heart seeing them lifeless on the ground. i like the way regenerative way you have described the cycle here. i am excited to know about the milkweed! have a lovely sunday, sweet rebecca. xo
Posted by: Irene | April 07, 2013 at 07:58 AM
Whenever I see a monarch butterfly, it's a grand occasion...like seeing a ring around the moon or a rainbow. They signify that the warm season is really here, in all its spendor! Beautiful post today, Rebecca!
Posted by: Dawn Elliott - AlterEgoMexicana | April 07, 2013 at 08:18 AM
The Monarch butterfly visits these shores on rare occasions, then only in the south, too cold here! Your love though is warm and tender reaching out to all creatures, thank you.
An endangered species on these shores is the water vole, we had a funding grant on our land for excavations to encourage them when our pond was dug 18 months ago, we spotted the first one the other day! :~)xxx
Posted by: Sue Fox | April 07, 2013 at 08:30 AM