An Ode To Ladybugs

My poem, “Ode to Ladybugs”, was submitted to Very Bad Poetry a decade ago. Sadly, the site has since demised. But back in October of 2012, they produced a dramatic, tear-wrenching reading, featuring actor Ian Delaney. I just discovered it by accident today at YouTube while searching for something else! I’m always joking that I am not getting my memos about life, but now I have proof of it. Very Bad Poetry never informed me about this charming audio performance. Let’s drive up the Likes and make the video a Comeback Kid, whaddyasay?

ODE TO LADYBUGS

Ah! Flightful tiny orbs with a turtle wax shell
Miniscule red Volkswagens motoring through the air
Though no one feels the pull to yell ‘slug-bug’
(I pause to lament the passing of road trip tradition, that.)

How graceful you are, hurling around the lampshade
As a moon would circle its soul-mated planet
Until the entangling nebula of bug spray surrounds you
Heralding the end of your orbit, your life.

Now you are hurtling to the ground
Though no startling crater will you leave on the rug
Nothing to note your passing
As the almighty Hoover passes it’s dark cloud over you.

And you are gone.
Ah! But reincarnation is your forte
No sooner can we rejoice in your absence
When you return, cloned and cloned again.

Bug without end, Amen and Amen.

Lori Alden Holuta – 2006