First Flight
The quiet chrysalis of my voice
Hangs in silence
Waiting,
Forming.
Behind the shell it hides
Growing,
Transforming.
Then, it drops, cracking open
Pumping,
Filling.
It spreads its new wings.
It flies.
The sound of my wings on the wind now speaks—
“I am here.”
The Commentary
Have you ever felt the raw power of a renewal brewing in your life? I am feeling that right now, so I needed to do poetry.
Two winters ago, my mom and I began a collaboration on a garden project. I wanted to add more swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata L.) to boost the attractiveness of my humble site for my beloved monarch visitors. The annual process of their return and transformation soothes my spirit, especially in the fall when the temperatures and sun are getting lower.
That first fall, I harvested the one seed pod from the single plant I had thriving in a ditch in my backyard. I had scattered seeds several years earlier hoping they would take off on their own, but not much happened. It’s still a start, I thought, putting them in a small brown paper bag to dry.
I gave the seeds to my mom, the germination expert in the family. She used to have a greenhouse business, so this is right up her alley.
Late that first winter, she started the seeds according to her well-researched methodology (unlike mine!). Germination and survival rate of the seeds went well under my mom’s expert management. She was surprised at the high rate — I wasn’t. Not when she is doing it.
She planted some seedlings at her house up the street and dropped the rest off for me. I was so busy with my day job, I couldn’t even think about what to do next, so I set up a little makeshift plant nursery area by my front steps. I repotted the plants a few weeks later so they could grow deep roots and I could better keep up with the watering.
Not long after that, my monarch visitors started showing up. My little makeshift non-plan had turned into a destination point on the monarch’s complex map.
My heart soared! I even saw a female laying an egg (photo below). We had surprise success beyond my wildest imagination, which is so rare. My visitors loved the prototype — what could be better?
Inspired by strong customer feedback (the monarchs!), we are scaling up the project just a little this year. My mom is starting more swamp milkweed seeds, maxing out her micro-greenhouse set up in her basement. I ordered pots to transplant the seedlings this spring and burned a brush pile that stood in the way of the permanent planting location.
And, I left my day job that was draining my mind so I could spread my wings. I enjoyed a workshop with other women around the planet finding their voices. I did a deep breathwork retreat. I wrote this poem. Now I am sharing this story.
It’s a great start.
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
