Dragonflight

The story of a day spent in the company of a dragonfly...

A dragonfly's sitting on my lap,

He's such a colourful little chap.

He looks so fierce as he sits there,

Surveying me with his faceted stare.

He seems to think he's my protector,

He has a built-in mosquito detector.

A pesky skeeter comes whining by,

And my newfound friend takes to the sky.

The skeeter hovers over my cup,

Dragon swoops in and snaps him up,

Circles round and comes in to land,

This time on the back of my hand.

Eek, here comes another skeeter,

Off takes Dragon, he's going to eat her.

Jaws agape, he goes to town,,

Slurps her up and swallows her down.

Round and round and round he goes,

Every single time another one shows.

I'm feeling grateful when he stays,

It's great to have a skeeter-free day.

A little later I realize,

As I stare into those sapphire eyes,

And think about all those bugs he ate,

This is just Dragon's trap and I'm the bait!

© 2018 The Iron Horseman

Author's Note

A friend of mine wrote a beautiful poem called 'Dragonfly'. It reminded me of a beautiful summer day spent in the company of one of these amazing little creatures.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

I love dragonflies and I love this poem Iron Horseman! Droll, lyrical verses with great cadence and rhyme. Sweet and humorous on-point imagery of the industrious micro- “dragon” and the doomed “skeeter” who is being expertly dive-bombed! Clever wordplay throughout. Just perfect.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Annette. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a very entertaining day!

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful story shared in the poetry. I like the dragonfly. We never get them in the Detroit area. They would be happy here.Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, my friend. I love them too. There is something very prehistoric about them, but they are both friendly and useful to humans.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree and you are welcome my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

fun rhythm and rhyme ... delightful scene .. easy to picture ... i added a good book in hand to read and a fishing pole in the background ;))
are they really that prolific at mosquito slurping?
E.
ps. nice tribute to all dragons out there!

[The Iron Horseman]

Hi, Crispy Noodle!
Yes, they really are that good at gobbling skeeters. The local Ministry of the Environment people drop them over our woods by the planeload every spring as an alternative to using chemical sprays and it works very well. They are voracious! And this poem is actually a true story. The little fella did stay with me all day!

[Einstein Noodle]

man! that is the coolest thing i have heard all year ..what an intimate experience with Mother Nature .. and good on yer gov. for using them ... i haven' even heard of that being thought about here in the USA ... the little town i use to live in spayed when the spring was heavy with rain and those little suckers ... bravo fer you guys!

[The Iron Horseman]

Yes, I thought it was a really smart move when they started the program ten or more years ago. I hate being bitten, so I love dragonflies!

[Paul Bell]

I'll need to get out in the fresh air more.
Dragonflies sound quite funky.
Did run about the house with a rolled up newspaper trying to kill a bluebottle though.
Bloody thing is still droning.

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! They bloody well hurt when they bite too!

[barleygirl]

This is one of the best poems of the week! Or month! I love this. It's so joyful & playful & vivid. I am very in tune with the kinds of critters most people don't notice much. I love to sit & watch frogs or lizards, which are wonderful for keeping the flies at bay. They seem to realize I appreciate their antics. Most people wouldn't imagine having a relationship with an insect, but I can totally see & feel this in your poem (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks, Margie. I hoped you would like this one. I, too, live in a good place for observing little critters. The raccoons in particular provide lots of amusement, at least when they are not into the garbage! Big hug back to you.

[Onlyme]

Loved this poem about a dragonfly wordplay to perfection. Nicely done.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Dawn.