Lunacy

Sudden storm,

safe in a summer cottage,

is that the wind trying to get in?

Open the door: a visitor enters

into the light, out of the dark:

a Luna Moth, perfect, unfrayed,

big as two hands, perfection,

color of moonlight, image of vision.

The blue eye of wonder

stares from each wing!

Pity to let it thrash its life away

against the screen. Quick!

Let’s catch it, save it perfect as a dream.

The gift box from a fancy hanky‘s

just right!

The empty freezer’s still plugged in.

Encyclopedia will hold it down

to still the wings from thrashing.

After breakfast, we remember

what we’ve done.

We lift it out, stiff form of beauty

from the grave.

Displayed on the piano:

it is fragile art!

Suddenly, it is flying: miracle!

Open the door! We see

lunar mystery

fluttering into sunlight, free!

© Tamara Rasmussen 2018