Maurice Scully
[Blessing The Animals]
then
the spring-born population stays put
in its region of birth
the Great Lakes of North America.
then
of the autum-born population
1/3 hibernates
while the remaining 2/3
set out southwards
on a narrow unwavering route.
it’s a journey of 3000 kilometres
down to south Texas/northern Mexico.
on arrival they gather in one or two
valleys on particular conifers
in their millions
& rest there till spring
& mate.
then this immense blizzard of wings
begins to move northwards
travelling in a more leisurely way
feeding & laying their eggs along the route …
the train’s shadow
flickering over the fields
the Monarch is a long-lived butterfly
each individual surviving approximately
one year.
their migration pattern is as follows
a child nearby
at a window
(migration pattern is as)
where the world
tracks past a
very young child
so happy so
taken aback
she
sings. (follows) & it beats
disclosing enclosing
flash! fold flash!
close slit show shock
blind shock black
shock/light exuding
over the visible
light intruding
on the visible
light corroding
the leaves leaving
only the light.
their
dispersal patterns
are as follows.
map. stop.
count. then
immense upsurge
white red
amber dark
the need for flattened bark-dwelling insects
to get away from predators on tree-trunks may
well have provided the selective pressure that
led to the evolution of wings – between rains
we lay listening lay waiting – you know me …
rain on glass to the side of yr face
a door shut in the corridor
Maurice Scully was born Dublin 1952, educated Trinity College, Dublin. Now settled again in Dublin after years away with his wife & 4 children. Several books over the years, most from a single project, most recent of which Livelihood appeared from Wild Honey Press in 2004. The closing two books from this project, which began 25 years ago, are due from Reality Street Editions and Shearsman Books this year: Sonata and Tig, respectively.