On Broken Wings . . .
The little water garden has always been home for dragonfly nymphs, who leave their exoskeletons behind on the tall reeds that reach out of the water before taking their maiden flight. I watched this little one dry her wings and steady herself for a long while before walking over to notice that two of her four wings did not make the transition from water-beetle to winged-dragon. And still instinct and faith took over and she bravely let go of the reed and tried her very best to flap the two adjacent wings as hard as she could, only to fall splat onto the floating greens that cover the top of the tiny pond.
No, this little dragon would never be airborne. I picked up a dead reed, with unintended irony, and helped her get a good grip so I could pull her from the water as she was floundering. But what to DO with her? If she was on the ground, the ants would eat her alive if not a fast blue belly lizard. I looked around the yard for that black headed phoebe that once ate the Monarch we were releasing on her first day of freedom. But the little bird was no where to be found.
I contemplated taking the broken winged dragon inside and researching what I could feed it, with the idea of letting it live out its short lifespan in any way possible. But what IS Life as a prisoner in purgatory? Is it better to live one day FREE? Would it be more “humane” to Kevorkian the kritter? Clearly I don’t know Jack about what is best for a bug.
Of course in the corners of my mind there was plenty of room to anthropomorphize the disabled insect. As a lady with a life limiting illness I wonder what would become of ME if my circumstances or surroundings were different. If not the strangers in Blanche DuBois’ life, I most certainly depended on the kindness of others.
In one way or another, we all have our broken wings that we carry. Sometimes a physical disability is easy to spot, while the invisible illnesses often go unnoticed to the unobservant eye. But in one shape or form, we all have an Achilles’ Wing that we try to hide, overcome or camouflage. Why? (shrugs) As a street wise sage often tells me … Is just one of those things.
