RomanceEverAfter

The Writing Craft

Dragonfly
by
Deneen K. Berry
© 2003 Deneen K. Berry

Swishing and swirling, around and around, there was no end to my dancing to the whirlwind sound. My transformation from a cocoon to the outer world shall soon draw near. 

There is a jelly like substance that protects and keeps me safe in the hollow of the leaf. It helps me develop organs that I need in order to grow big, strong and beautiful. While I am under the water, I breathe through my gills.  Daily I shed layers of casings so that I can grow all of my organs and develop an abdomen for breathing. My eyes are almost as large as my head. Then I grow three pair of legs, two pair of wings along with a slender long body. My appetite feeds on smaller insects that are also floating in the water. Some may think that I look like just ordinary larvae, but when I am fully grown everyone is amazed at my beauty and gracefulness.

I have a wonderful heritage that dates back to the dinosaur age. My species survived because unlike the dinosaur, we Odonatas (also known as dragonflies) made the best use of our environment. We are among the most ancient living creatures here on earth. We have traveled throughout the world living on both land and water. 

Temperatures in various parts of the world determine how long our life span is. So if you keep my environment nice and clean, I can survive even in your own back yard. Just build me a pond, and I will appear. Pollution and bug sprays are a few of my worst enemies. Flowers and sunshine help to make my life flourish. I will never sting you because I'm not able to do so. Nor do I wish to ever harm you in any way.

Please don't be afraid of me, and I won't be afraid of you. We can live together in harmony and peace to make this a wonderful earth for all of us to enjoy. When I reach my full maturity, my purpose and plan is to go on great ballet dancing adventures. I will climb from the water to a stemmed leaf with my long legged claws. Once I am on dry land, I can shed my larval casing from the back of my head and emerge onto dry land. At that moment blood will be pumped into my body and expand my beautiful wings. It is called the age of my dispersal and reproduction. This period of my life may take from two days to three weeks. I will be very patient with this process because I know that the best things in life are worth waiting for. It's almost like having Christmas in July.

When I reach full maturity, I will gently lift my wings to the wind, and open my eyes to the world that I have so long for. My long tail will guide me swiftly along the banks of the water pond to the flourishing scents of purple violets, red roses, yellow sunflowers and multi-colored geraniums that have been planted for me to perform butterfly swirls in your midst.   

With my wings spread open in full array, I will dance the 'Wedding Song' ballet for you. First I will glide to the Silver Plated Tussie flower and perform a Demi-Plie. Then I will swirl to the Calla Lilies to entertain you with a Minuet. As I pass over the Dendrobium Orchids, I shall toss my head to the rhythm of the Battement Tendu. You truly will enjoy the swift movement of the Chasse' as my wings brush against the beautiful Lilly of the Vallies. 

As the wind carries the sweet scent of the Chrysanthemum, I shall bow with a curtsy in admiration as your eyes glance upon me. Then I shall prance over to the Baby's-Breath flower and Pas de Cheval in your presence. As the rainbow drips dew upon the Orchids I will bend my legs in a Pas Marche and swiftly leap towards the soothing Gardenia. And for my grand finale I will Arabesque, Releve' and Glissade in your honor. My dance for you is superb and your presence honors me with delight.

I am hoping that within my next journey I will Port de Bras upon the blustering bed of Roses and Dahlia's. During my metamorphosis cycle, I envisioned the Demi-Pointe and Pointe Forward with great expectations of visiting the Daisies and Sunflowers. 

Now I bid you farewell, for I need to continue my dance for another. As I spread my wings, the gentle breeze is beckoning me towards the next ballerina dance and whispering songs of the wind. My journey continues on to the fields, marshlands, forests, mountains and gardens.

When my dance is over, I will return to the pond and seek out a mate. May my siblings find their way to your environment again. We will graciously reproduce so that the dance may continue on from generation to generation. All of this is to make a more beautiful world for families and children to live in…….

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Deneen K. Berry