It soared over the honeysuckled fence,
a dragon in disguise, clearly unused
to fragile, ethereal wings and jerky flight,
with a soft, tiny body and antenna of sight.
It seemed confused
about Life.

It flittered around the coreopsis plants,
not realizing browned flowers meant nectar was dead.
I saw dragon try repeatedly
to find a meal that couldn’t be.
It was confused
about Life.

It dipped in fright when a bird flew by,
bird-shadow huge to insect views.
I watched closely to see where it fled,
it fluttered to me, and awkwardly said,
“I seem confused
about Life.”

“I have a dragon mind with dragon wings,
I used to roar and ride the winds of space.
I can’t remember where I’ve been,
and, strangely, when is when.
I am confused
about Life.”

“I have a butterfly body of softest parts,
there’s no protection for my dragon’s heart.
I’m worried I might be attacked,
there are no dragon scales on my back.
And, I am confused
about Life.”

I contemplated, and thought how to tell,
a dragon once, a butterfly now,
that Chaos is another name for Life,
and everything ends up under the knife.
I was confused
about Life.

I wanted to explain about Time’s extremes,
its need to fill every space which it sees,
and the unconquerable revolutions it spans,
so far beyond butterfly-dragons, and Man.
But, I seem confused
about Life.

It battered at me with wings of dust,
a dragon disguised as an infinitesimal bug.
I couldn’t help but laugh, and cry.
I, too, was a dragon, in disguise.
I am confused
about Life…

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 7/28/05