The damselfly entered our abode for no good reason other than that we had left the door open. It did not know what it was getting into and unfortunately it did not find its way out.We heard the creature whirring here and there in the living room and caught an occasional glimpse of a blur as it darted back and forth. But we could neither identify nor capture it.
The next morning we found the creature dead on our living room carpet. It had exhausted itself no doubt seeking an egress from the prison into which it had wandered.
Entirely too many people, lured by the inviting open doors of temptation, wander into a morass from which they cannot extricate themselves. They may beat themselves into a frenzy seeking escape, but cannot find the way out. God offers hope and a way of escape.
Psalm 40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. --KJV
In late afternoon's sunlight we found this cicada on the concrete driveway. It was immobile and had the appearance of lifelessness. But as I touched it gently its front leg twitched. I picked it up and it immediately grasped my finger.Clearly the creature had just emerged from its exoskeleton and was awaiting the drying of its wings so that it could begin its adventures as a winged insect.
Luckily it was I who found him and not a squirrel. I placed him on a tree limb five feet above the ground. Perhaps he will mate and procreate, thus providing insects and singing for us again in 2032.
Perhaps I have an over-active imagination, but I think the images on this beastie's back bear a striking resemblance to a Tlingit or Haida totem pole. Maybe the totem was carved in imitation of the cicada.
Word of the day: egress.
I saw the "totem" on the cicada's back then found this image.
You may read the Tlingit legend of Fog Woman here.
11 comments:
Things in nature are beautiful, but we often don't take the time to notice, let alone allow them to teach us a life lesson.
It's weirder than you even know, because I also pictured a cicada on my walk, but it was damaged, and I didn't want to post that. I'm pretty sure yours is a dragonfly (damselflies hold wings up over their backs)
I always quite enjoy when you connect your Faith beliefs with your everyday experiences. I might see the connections differently but I always appreciate them.
Vee, opening one's eyes to the beauties around us pays off handsomely, even if it does take a little time.
Grace, I like that about you. You show interest and respect even when you don't agree.
Sharkey, well, it was dead when we met. I looked at eye spacing and width of wing base. Dragonfly or damselfly, it is still dead.
End of summer always brings more intimate connections with wildlife as everything starts amping up the preparations for cooler weather ahead. This is when I notice the katydids clicking their sad end-of-summer song, the cicadas are slowing their songs, frogs catching as many bugs as possible...even the kitties seem to know the days are getting shorter. All of these things seem to intersect with our paths, whether on bike path, walk outside or sitting in the yard. I am thoughtful about all of it too and appreciate the beauty in each creature--although I can never find beauty in spiders. They just scare me.
Lin, you are one who observes and contemplates things in nature. I do find spiders to be beautiful and fascinating. I don't want her to sit down on me, though.
It is always good to have a way out, no matter what the place or situation.
I like the application you draw out of the narrative.
Jono, a way out is always essential, yet many of us seem to get into pickles from which we cannot extricate ourselves.
Chuck, thanks. Lessons sometimes present themselves.
BTW, I love your "word of the day." I may have to steal that idea.
Sharkey, I shall look forward to your word choices. btw, The critter probably was a dragonfly.
Post a Comment