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Writer's pictureVanessa Scriven

May Poetry




Week One: Caterpillars


The Caterpillar By Robert Graves


Under this loop of honeysuckle,

A creeping, coloured caterpillar,

I gnaw the fresh green hawthorn spray,

I nibble it leaf by leaf away.

Down beneath grow dandelions,

Daisies, old-man’s-looking-glasses;

Rooks flap croaking across the lane.

I eat and swallow and eat again.

Here come raindrops helter-skelter;

I munch and nibble unregarding:

Hawthorn leaves are juicy and firm.

I’ll mind my business: I’m a good worm.

When I’m old, tired, melancholy,

I’ll build a leaf-green mausoleum

Close by, here on this lovely spray,

And die and dream the ages away.

Some say worms win resurrection,

With white wings beating flitter-flutter,

But wings or a sound sleep, why should I care?

Either way I’ll miss my share.

Under this loop of honeysuckle,

A hungry, hairy caterpillar,

I crawl on my high and swinging seat,

And eat, eat, eat—as one ought to eat.



Week Two: Caterpillars Continued


Caterpillar by Christina Rossetti


Brown and furry Caterpillar in a hurry,

Take your walk

To the shady leaf, or stalk,

Or what not,

Which may be the chosen spot.

No toad spy you,

Hovering bird of prey pass by you;

Spin and die,

To live again a butterfly.



Week Three: Black Ants


Go to The Ant The Bible - Proverbs 6:6-8


Go to the ant, thou sluggard;

Consider her ways, and be wise:

Which having no guide,

Overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer,

And gathereth her food in the harvest.




Week Four: Butterflies


Envoi by Algernon Charles


Swinburne Fly, white butterflies, out to sea,

Frail pale wings for the winds to try,

Small white wings that we scarce can see Fly.

Some fly light as a laugh of glee,

Some fly soft as a low long sigh:

All to the haven where each would be Fly.



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