5.22.2012

An Unusual Acquaintance

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
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 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 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"
I wished him the best of luck
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
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
And the crows, a little less dense

* * * * * * *

*Curtiss' "Flight of the June Bug" in 1908 was the first pre-announced flight in America. 

47 comments:

  1. 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...

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    1. Don't be shy, they're very nice fellows :) Thanks for the read, Claudia.

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  2. I 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?

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  3. really 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...

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  4. Cool 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!

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    1. Such fun to hear your chat with the hitchhiker. Hope you two meet up again before the year is out:-)

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    2. Honestly, it was a little of both. Thank you for the visit.

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  5. What a great piece--Loved its rhythm and tone--

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  6. Fun poem. June bugs aren't as enjoyable when you're riding a motorcycle!

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    1. I can imagine! Not the ideal environment for a conversation.

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  7. This great Alex -- made me smile and lightened my day...

    …rob
    Image & Verse

    my poem: Laughing

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    1. Glad this lightened your day. Thanks for stopping by, Rob.

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  8. "We went along for a while – at least a mile – in silence.
    It 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.

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  9. Sort 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.

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  10. This is a lot of fun to read, with some real wisdom slyly hidden within, great job - Mosk

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  11. This was a lovely bit of story-telling, and I found myself rooting for both passengers :)Very creative.

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  12. For one so young, this is remarkably well constructed. It is humorous and fluid with a real story. Loved it.

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  13. This is priceless, Alex! An absolutely wonderful write! keep up the fine work, my man!

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    1. I appreciate the praise! Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. Alex...this is wonderful. You have developed an honest and true voice as a young poet....but then again, talent and compassion have no age.

    Marvelous! I really enjoyed this ride.

    Lady Nyo

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. Cool story...I enjoyed the conversation and reflections ~

    I 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 ~

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  16. Alex, what a great poem! Love it, man. The opening line--awesome. The whole poem.

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  17. Now I want to talk to a June bug, and I'd bet we'd have wonderful conversation. Great write, Alex!

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    1. They're pretty interesting creatures. Very insightful. Thanks for stopping by, Bradley.

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  18. Good one. Enjoyed the flight and flicker.

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  19. Great read. I enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks so much.

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