On a highway day drive in April,
I befriended a June bug
We got off to a tumultuous
beginning
I flicked him out the driver window,
but he stuck around for the ride
I tested him, he responded, I
respected
He calmly clung to the rearview
mirror
And we began to reveal a bit
about our pasts
He said his kind gets a bad rap,
are considered pests
But they didn't seem that bad to
me
He said he had a bad batch with
his woman, needed a new start
“I’m glad you’re headed elsewhere” he said
“Because that’s exactly where I’m
headed”
He mentioned something about the ubiquitous eyes above
Something about the crows grubbing on his grubs
Something about the crows grubbing on his grubs
He told me his woman didn’t
trust him anymore
She said he could no longer protect
“How can I fend off a crow?” he
helplessly wondered aloud
“It’s beyond my control”
“It’s beyond my control”
“It’s beyond your control”
He told me his name was Jim
Jim the June bug, has quite the
jingle
We easily kept the conversation moving
along for a bit
He was a quick witted little
fellow
I wished we could have more time
But “I only have a year to live,” he said
I wished we could have more time
But “I only have a year to live,” he said
“I don’t have time to waste any of mine”
He reminded me of the beauty of sometimes winging it
We went along for a while – at
least a mile – in silence
The comfortable kind, though
The kind only two true friends
could enjoy
“Well,” he said
"This is the end"
"I guess I'll be going"
"This is the end"
"I guess I'll be going"
I wished him the best of
luck
He did the same to me
He did the same to me
With a flick of his wings he was
gone
Now I don't know if he gracefully caught a draft
Or if he crashed his ass right into the pavement
Ether way, Glenn H. Curtiss* would be proud
Now I don't know if he gracefully caught a draft
Or if he crashed his ass right into the pavement
Ether way, Glenn H. Curtiss* would be proud
Come to think of it, I was proud
of him, too
I hoped his new start was the
right one
In a place where the grass is green
The lady bugs are pretty
In a place where the grass is green
The lady bugs are pretty
And the crows, a
little less dense
* * * * * * *
*Curtiss' "Flight of the June Bug" in 1908 was the first pre-announced flight in America.
so very cool alex...really enjoyed this...ha...next time i'll see a june bug, i def. will try talking to him...they seem to be nice fellows...great bit of metaphor here as well...fighting the crows beyond his control...heck...lots of things beyond our control as well...cool reference on curtis as well...
ReplyDeleteDon't be shy, they're very nice fellows :) Thanks for the read, Claudia.
DeleteI love june bugs... I always send them a happy goodbye out the door when a few sneak their way in... but this is a good write... points in the convo can relate to everyone.. bcus at the end of the day, aren't we all just wingin' it?
ReplyDeleteIndeed we are. Thanks for stopping by, Anthony.
Deletereally nice man...great bit of story telling...how would our lives change if we had one year to live you know...i think that is a great question for us to ponder...but not too long you know...smiles...nice bit on the crowes as well man...
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Brian.
DeleteCool narrative piece....very engaging....it made me wonder though ....was he talking to the bug or actually talking to himself....how we would all like to be able to do this and make changes in ourselves.... Original writing....enjoyed v much!
ReplyDeleteSuch fun to hear your chat with the hitchhiker. Hope you two meet up again before the year is out:-)
DeleteHonestly, it was a little of both. Thank you for the visit.
DeleteWhat a great piece--Loved its rhythm and tone--
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Audrey.
DeleteFun poem. June bugs aren't as enjoyable when you're riding a motorcycle!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine! Not the ideal environment for a conversation.
DeleteA refreshing treat! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNo, thank you, Laurie.
DeleteThis great Alex -- made me smile and lightened my day...
ReplyDelete…rob
Image & Verse
my poem: Laughing
Glad this lightened your day. Thanks for stopping by, Rob.
Delete"We went along for a while – at least a mile – in silence.
ReplyDeleteIt was the comfortable kind of silence, though,
the kind only two true friends could enjoy."
" I hoped his new start was the right one.
And I hoped the crows were a little less dense."
I like this. Has an almost metaphorical feel, like the June bug is standing in for something/someone else. There is a certain ease to your writing that draws us into the story --even about "bugs!" Well done.
Thank you for the read & the kind words, Ginny.
DeleteSort of captures the heart of compassion, I've had many a conversation with 'bugs'. I have the face of a Madonna and the voice of a therapist so the conversation really flows :). Really enjoyed this, nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, too. Thanks for the visit.
DeleteThis is a lot of fun to read, with some real wisdom slyly hidden within, great job - Mosk
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Mosk.
DeleteThis was a lovely bit of story-telling, and I found myself rooting for both passengers :)Very creative.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Lori.
DeleteFor one so young, this is remarkably well constructed. It is humorous and fluid with a real story. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that, James. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteI really enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteThis is priceless, Alex! An absolutely wonderful write! keep up the fine work, my man!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the praise! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteAlex...this is wonderful. You have developed an honest and true voice as a young poet....but then again, talent and compassion have no age.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous! I really enjoyed this ride.
Lady Nyo
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteCool story...I enjoyed the conversation and reflections ~
ReplyDeleteI like that wanting to live life fully ~ For a young man, you have a talent to explain the deep thoughts into simple narrative everyone can relate too ~
Thanks for the read & the kind words, Heaven.
DeleteAlex, what a great poem! Love it, man. The opening line--awesome. The whole poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, emmet. Always enjoy hearing from you.
DeleteNow I want to talk to a June bug, and I'd bet we'd have wonderful conversation. Great write, Alex!
ReplyDeleteThey're pretty interesting creatures. Very insightful. Thanks for stopping by, Bradley.
Deletecharmingly done
ReplyDeleteThanks for the read & the kind words, Elliot.
DeleteA very enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGood one. Enjoyed the flight and flicker.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the read & the visit.
DeleteGreat read. I enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Kay, glad you enjoyed it.
Delete