Catch and Release
By Janet Sobczyk, 2024
By Janet Sobczyk, 2024
“Hey, Pete!
Come catch this tiny moth in the bathroom
quick, right there on the wall
wait! where’d it go?”
His quick eyes scanned
the room
soon found the Common Tan Wave
uncommonly small, wings folded
trying to blend into a cream wall.
I backed away
to let him stalk the prey
knowing it would be safe in his young hands
certain my clumsy ones would damage wings.
Held the door open for
his exit outdoors
watched as he slowly released curved fingers
expecting a fast flutter to escape
but it didn’t.
I moved up close to
join Pete’s gaze
upon this tiny visitor
as it gently stepped along his finger
to the tip and paused.
Seemed to be probing
his skin
with its almost invisible feet
was it tapping out a thank-you
like a silent Morse-code?
Or (more likely)
smelling the apple Pete had been slicing?
In a moment it gracefully lifted off
flitting across the deck.
We went back inside
smiling
back to the morning routine
pleased to do a good thing
for a common little creature.
Come catch this tiny moth in the bathroom
quick, right there on the wall
wait! where’d it go?”
soon found the Common Tan Wave
uncommonly small, wings folded
trying to blend into a cream wall.
to let him stalk the prey
knowing it would be safe in his young hands
certain my clumsy ones would damage wings.
watched as he slowly released curved fingers
expecting a fast flutter to escape
but it didn’t.
upon this tiny visitor
as it gently stepped along his finger
to the tip and paused.
with its almost invisible feet
was it tapping out a thank-you
like a silent Morse-code?
smelling the apple Pete had been slicing?
In a moment it gracefully lifted off
flitting across the deck.
back to the morning routine
pleased to do a good thing
for a common little creature.
Dedicated to Peter Sobczyk, my son,
and to Stephen Hassler, editor of YCN, whose shared love of butterflies inspired it.
.
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