Monarchs migrate
Alone
Their perceived numbers masking
their solitude
The appearance of safety in the masses
A meandering path toward warmth
I migrate
Alone
Knowing I must make this journey apart
My children masking
my solitude
The appearance of safety in our familial numbers
I meander toward warmth again
We journey in parallel
migrating toward our end
The means within each
to the end we seek
Finding nourishment
Along the way
Nectar here,
Milkweed there
Sometimes in short supply
But enough
Just enough
Fragile, delicate, determined
A life force which will not be denied
urging us on
Toward our destiny
Our evolution
Metamorphosis
Dodging mountains
Struggling against conspiring winds that would blow us off
course
Fleeing predators on the perilous journey
The journey, although treacherous,
is required
for ultimate survival
To remain behind,
a certain death.
So we journey, the monarch and me.
Onward and forward
Looking behind only to gauge our progression
The instinct to survive
is strong.
Stronger than my grief
Stronger than my pain
Stronger than you
You are predatory.
An oriole or grosbeak
This monarch has evaded
you and
your hunt.
Comes the spring and
a new journey
begins.
~ Mk MIchaels, 2007
