Joyful Requiem

Members of the Order Coleoptera
30,000 strong in our family alone
Clean up crew
humble tumblebugs are we
Antennae alert for messages divine
Moving mountains with our unassuming strength
as we trundle about collecting scattered debris

Six rays to our crown
Four more at each fossorial arm
help us dig chambers,sculpt our spheres
Whether simply a meal or masterwork
patiently we roll along seemingly at leisure
Six legs busy scuttling
wings sheathed beneath our black armor
we take the crap others leave behind
making miracles from nothing
Your trash becomes our treasure

Earthly incarnations
of creative Khepri
All along Egypt's coast
skittering down our tunnels
hidden in our sepulchral lairs
we feast or brood

From simple charms
to Pharaoh's tomb
Protective symbol of
Resurrection and Life Immortal
Carved in symbolic green
placed reverently upon your chest
Persuading Ma'at
that your own heart
should not testify against you
We attest

Reach for the new life awaiting
within each metaphoric death
Stretch your senses beyond five
We will help you solve problems
Help you come into being
Guide you through each metamorphosis
to your most authentic self
Don't fight it
Surrender to change
the only constant in this life
Be resourceful
Reclaim as yours what serves you
Recycle the rest.


For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for those who listen. Can you guess who is singing today?