Monarch Chronicles

"Water lilies bloom on the Great River.

Brilliant red on the green water.

Their color is the same as our hearts.

Their roots branch off.

Ours cannot be separated."   

    – Wu of Liang, "Water Lillies Bloom"

Common milkweed sags by noontime –

the early July sun blazes over the top 

of Brices Prairie, no oak cover relief.

Among the dabbles of purple clover,

the unfolding of rising blazing-star,

a compass plant stands, goldyellow,

stern, bent forward over showy goldenrod,

a school teacher waving basal arms 

at the chattering white aster.