an insects guide to Living on earth

This is a story I've reworked several times to try and get the flow correct . . . 

Dennis the dragonfly loves all things ‘D’
like daffodils, daisies and dragon fruit trees.
His best friend is Barry whose favourites are ‘B’
like buttercups, bluebells and tall Birchwood trees.
 
But lately the plants and trees they loved well
were harder to find, and harder to smell.
It seemed that the humans were making things grey,
and taking the smells and the colours away
 
The fields once green, were covered with scars
from crisscrossing roads, where people drove cars.
Dennis and Barry decided to leave
to find a new life. So on New Year’s Eve
 
they flew off together to find a new home,
hoping to find all the things they had known.
After what seemed like such a long time,
they saw something wonderful. Something so fine!
 
Down they flew and when they were near
their eyes opened wide! Their hearts filled with cheer.
They buzzed up above the colourful scene
rubbing their eyes thinking, ‘Is this a dream?’
 
So many insects were flying around!
Fireflies, butterflies, queen wasps with crowns.
Beetles and dragonflies, aphids and ants.
Lace bugs and honey bees wearing striped pants!
 
A pretty green Mantis who was their friend May
Looked up and called out to them, ‘Hey! Come this way!’
They flew down to greet her and as they embraced,
Dennis turned slowly and asked, ‘What’s this place?’
 
‘The one place that’s left where we can live free.
Where insects are safe. Where humans can’t be.
‘Just look at what’s here!’ laughed May with delight.
She pointed out wonderful things left and right.
 
Blackberries, strawberries, peaches and more.
Lavender, lilies, roses galore!
Jasmine, snow peas and daisies so tall!
There’s food for you both. Food for us all.
 
We’re many that travelled from near and far.
We fled from the fields, the ones filled with scars
of marks made by humans, who don’t understand
we have just one chance to be kind to this land.’
 
As Dennis and Barry looked over at May
they nodded. ‘Together’ was the only way.
So humans please note - you are not here alone.
We all share together, this Earth we call home.

Dennis the Dragonfly

Image © Maryam Khalifah 2020. All Rights Reserved.

An Insects Guide To Living On Earth. © Kerry Gittins 2020. All Rights Reserved.