Earlier this week I was reading an article about monarch caterpillars and wondered if I could find any interesting poems about them. While this one is not specifically about monarchs, I like the evocative language along with all the valuable advice offered.
Advice from a Caterpillar
Amy Gerstler
Chew your way into a new world.
Munch leaves. Molt. Rest. Molt
again. Self-reinvention is everything.
Spin many nests. Cultivate stinging
bristles. Don't get sentimental
about your discarded skins. Grow
quickly. Develop a yen for nettles.
Alternate crumpling and climbing. Rely
on your antennae. Sequester poisons
in your body for use at a later date.
When threatened, emit foul odors
in self-defense. Behave cryptically
to confuse predators: change colors, spit,
or feign death. If all else fails, taste terrible.
Gerstler, Amy. "Advice from a Caterpillar." Dearest Creature, Penguin Books, 2009.
You can read more about the poet here.
I wish you mindfulness, peace, molting, resting, self-reinvention, and some poetry as this week winds down.
This is such a great poem! I think my favorite line is "Don't get sentimental about your discarded skins." That's really great advice. Let's all be more like caterpillars!
ReplyDeleteI think this poem includes exceptional advice, especially for the times. I saw a Monarch butterfly just yesterday. I was really surprised as I usually don't see too many in my neck of the woods. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday, Bonny.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I love the analogies! :)
ReplyDeleteI like that bit about not getting sentimental about discarded skins. It's good advice - drop what no longer serves you and don't worry about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem! I also like spin many nests - that seems like a nice world to live in...thank-you Bonny.
ReplyDeleteHa! That's a fun one! I like the discarded skin phrase like everyone else, but I love the ending - If all else fails, taste terrible." LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfectly wonderful poem! My favorite line? "Alternate crumpling and climbing." (Although "When threatened, emit foul odors in self-defense" is the line that will make me smile all day long.) XO
ReplyDeleteI am seeking all the mindfulness I can get! The longer this virus hangs around the more my nerves are frayed. beautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteoh Bonny - this is wonderful! I love the line about storing poisons :-)
ReplyDeleteI rather like the advice from a caterpillar. Not worrying about old skin sounds like a good idea. Developing a yen for nettles - well I might have to think about that one.
ReplyDeleteBonny, read today's post that you are taking a break. Hope you are doing okay. It is a tough time. Hang on.
ReplyDelete