Haibun Monday – Canyon Walls and Dragonflies

Dragonfly Zion National Park Springdale UT

Kim is hosting Haibun Monday over at dVerse poets this week and bids us:

“write about an encounter with an insect: it can be a beautiful or a scary experience, one that enlightened or surprised you; it can be about an ordinary or an unusual insect. Aim to write no more than three tight paragraphs about your encounter with an insect, followed by a traditional haiku that includes reference to the season.”

Canyon Walls and Dragonflies

Grey rocks stand in stark juxtaposition to the red sandstone walls of the canyon. The brutal heat of the desert sun retreats as early sunlight casts it’s subtle glow. A pretty little river plays it’s gentle song. Not so long ago, rampaging fury carved this canyon with boulders and floods. But for now, all is at peace.

A tiny dragonfly alights on a slender blade before my eyes, fanning her delicate wings in the cool morning air. And all at once, I see. I see the magic of the canyon. Why it is called Zion, sanctuary, sacred ground. I see the magic of the land and water. I see the insect transform into a delicate winged fairy bidding me come, look deeper, see.

Summer’s child pauses
a slender reed bends beneath
her glorious wings

word count 184

Til next time ~Peace ~JPP