Monday, August 6, 2012

LADYBUGS

Life was so serious today.  For instance, at noon I was called to the refugee complex up the street to help the management deal with piles and piles of roaches and filthy carpets in one apartment, not exactly my favorite thing to do.  I was asked to help teach these particular people how to clean, which I may do, and means that the bathroom, fridge, and stove, and cupboards in this particular apartment could be a real challenge. Don't know when/if this cleaning teaching will be officially dropped in my lap, but I'll help if I can.  [I could be tearing my clothes off on our front porch before I let myself in my house then, but...]  However, between that and a couple other smaller situations, I'm tired today of seriosity.

Because of this intensity, buried on my heart, I decided to post a poem I wrote in October, '01, which is funny and chuckly.    At the time I wrote it, I was hiding out on the North Shore of Superior, trying to deal with brokenheartedness connected to 9/11's life and death. Much of my writing during those days was very serious, very dark. This was one of the only light pieces, and I've enjoyed sharing it with friends and family ever since...even did it at church at a talent show once and made lots of people laugh.  That was a good thing.
    ===============================================


                                     LADYBUG


“Grandma” -- eyes wide, he asked -- 
“weren’t you a-scared, camping ... 
in the woods ... 
in the dark
... alone?”


“Of course not!!” I answered
 .. and then added,
“well, maybe a little ...
But God was there --
and so were ladybugs.”


“Grandma, were there bears?
BIG, Black or Brown,
and Furry?
Did ya see ‘em?”


“No,” I said, “No bears, no scary stuff at all
[unless you count spiders],
Just squirrels and chipmunks, and, ...
Oh, yes ... I saw ladybugs.”


“They flew into my shirt and my
pants and my hat – and stayed there --
all red-orange and black on
my purple and blue and magenta.

And I brushed them away --
Oh, so gently
[one never wants to hurt a ladybug].”


“Did you have fun on your trip? --
Did you miss us and want us with you?”


“Of course!!” I answered,
wondering how a sometimes 
Grumpy Gramma
would do with all the munchkins.
“I thought you would like the water and the rocks,
and the trees -- but mostly,
you’d LOVE
the ladybugs.”


Tell Me a Story

9 comments:

a joyful noise said...

Thank you for sharing at "Tell Me a Story." Sorry your day was buggy, but the poem is so sweet. Our youngest daughter was often called Judy Bug, no particular reason, but we always thought of lady bugs when we called her by that name.

Diane Ronzino said...

CaryJo, I needed a little less serious, too! Thanks for the light-hearted poem.

I LOVE ladybugs!

Diane Ronzino said...

CaryJo, I needed a little less serious, too! Thanks for the light-hearted poem.

I LOVE ladybugs!

Anonymous said...

smiled this morning and smiled at the talent show - have some serious stuff going on today so the smile is great - thanks
Me

Floyd said...

Wonderful poem. In the midst of our seriousness and understanding of the fallen world, it's refreshing to take a break and enjoy the smallest of God's creation. What a treasure...

To teach our children of those treasures is passing them wisdom, they too get enough seriousness...

This reminded me of a post I wrote a while back titled, "Man Eating Ladybugs." It was a reflection of a day spent with my youngest daughter... One of those treasures of my life.

Wendy @ E-1-A said...

[[[ Chuckles ]]] Thank you for bringing some light-hearted fun in rhyme into my day. Was threatened by a client at work today that they would find out where I live and break into my home!!!! I needed to hear something that made me smile... and this here poem certainly delivered. Thank you Joanne.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

So sweet. We had what I called a "ladybug tree" near the garage at my childhood home. I would spend hours there, watching those bugs, hosting "tea parties," and creating little stick bridges for them. I was so sad when we had to cut down the ladybug tree.

Anonymous said...

And I love Lady Bugs! Glad you found some happy in the time of sorrow.

Laurie Collett said...

I love the poem and ladybugs too! God has a way of bringing joy and laughter into dark moments. Thanks so much for visiting & commenting on the Rhapsody Ballroom blog, & God bless!
Laurie