What is this yearning? If you move your
hand up slow, set your finger
on the flower, maybe it will step up,
grip the ridges of your skin with crescent tarsi,
taste you

Mostly wing,
they are suddenly, briefly,
everywhere,
flouting the dwindling acres of their winter masses
duly tallied year to year,
this glorious fleet of season sailors
tacking in the wind,
flying colors of sienna and black

Lakeside in the evening,
half a dozen feed on blooming milkweed
at the water’s edge, drawing nectar
to the sounds of laughter drifting
from the beach and late-day waves

A pair in nuptial flight crosses
the blue channel of sky between the trees
He carries her beneath him like a folded note—
like something not alive—holding her wings closed,
to a branch where they will pass the night hours joined

To sleep, count the generations leading
to their coupling, the generations
to follow in a long, unbroken line
Imagine them in winter,
stained-glass leaves on mountain trees,
the rustlings of a billion pairs of wings

Align, on waking,
with legions of children
riveted to screen-topped jars,
breathing softly through open mouths,
chrysalis eyeing chrysalis,
plotting the rise
of the monarchy

“Monarchs,” by Laurie Allmann. From An Hour from Now, Nodin Press, 2019.

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Dedicated to Homero Gómez González, manager of the El Rosario Reserve, a sanctuary for overwintering monarchs in the pine and fir forests of Michoacán state, Mexico. An outspoken advocate for the butterflies and courageous protector of their habitat, he is reported to have been missing since January 13. Our hearts are with you, Homero, and Agate adds its voice to those who are calling and hoping for your safe return.
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January 30 Update: It is with great sadness that we have heard the news reports out of Michoacán state, Mexico, that Homero Gómez González has died.