Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome to my backyard … I’ve been in awe at the number of monarchs I have visiting in my garden this summer. There are sometimes five fluttering around at the same time. I’m sharing the path of one today along with some butterfly and bee poems, and a WIP oil painting I’ve just begun.
backyard reverie–
monarch’s flit and flutter by
creating magic …
© 2018 Michelle Kogan
bees are busy in
my backyard pollinating
between the breezes …
© 2014 Michelle Kogan
Here are a few poems out of my Bee Poetry book, If Bees are Few, A Hive of Bee Poems, Edited by James P. Lenfestey, and that are also online .
WITH FLOWERS
By Emily Dickinson
South winds jostle them,
Bumblebees come,
Hover, hesitate,
Drink, and are gone.
Read the rest of her poem at Lit2Go
THE BEE IS NOT AFRAID OF ME
By Emily Dickinson
The bee is not afraid of me,
I know the butterfly;
The pretty people in the woods
Receive me cordially.
Read the rest of her poem here
Hope you get to catch some sights of butterflies and bees …
I’ll be taking in some midwestern beauty part of next week in Door County, WI–I hope to be able to peek in on the Poetry Friday Roundup while away …
Heidi Mordhorst is hosting our Poetry Friday Roundup this week at her blog my juicy little universe–thanks Heidi! I’m looking forward to what she’ll be sharing …
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Love the bees. I enjoyed my visit to your backyard. Thanks!
Thanks Brenda, stop by anytime!
Lovely. The sounds and sights of your garden are so blissfully peaceful, Michelle. I lvoe our selection of poems, too, especially the line ‘backyard reverie’ which fits perfectly with your gentle garden scene.
Thanks Sally, it’s a wonderful place to retreat to.
Great video! I love “pollinating/between the breezes.” Sorry I missed you in Chicago–where is that backyard actually located, now that I know my way around just a little?
Thanks Heidi! I’m in Rogers Park as far north as you can go in Chicago and walking distance to the lake. My soil is sandy it used to be lake area.
I feel refreshed after visiting your backyard. It’s a lovely place! My heart is where the butterflies hover. Thank you for the invitation. And, spending time with Miss Dickinson too? Simply delightful.
Thanks Linda, you’re welcome to come by anytime …
Wow! Your milkweed is massive and healthy! What fun watching the monarchs “flit and flutter.”
Thanks Mary Lee! It was magical seeing all 5 fluttering around at the same time.
You are so talented. Your painting and poetry are lovely.
Beautiful, Michelle! Really stunning. Your post is up! https://mistakesanthology.blogspot.com/2018/07/michelle-kogan.html
Thanks Tabatha, and for the richly featured post on Team Imperfect too!
I need to echo Mary Lee, “Wow! Your milkweed is massive and healthy!” The milkweed growing wild around my neighborhood is scrawny and is only beginning to bloom now. Butterflies are few, but we’ve got bees galore! If you want to attract bees, mountain mint is the way to go!
Thanks Diane, I’ve been growing it for a number of years now. Thanks too for the tip about mountain mint, I’ll check and see if its a native plant in my area–I’m trying to plant mostly natives.
There’s no question where you get your inspiration! Beauty all around, in text and visuals!
So lovely! I enjoyed taking some photos of butterflies this past week. Thanks for sharing yours! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com