When I was a kid we had a lot of milkweed growing in the back, back yard (the one we use to store old wood and junk,) It grew like the weed it was and the Monarchs would come every year. It’s a sacrificial plant – one to plant in-between the others in your garden – because if you get Monarchs, and if the wasps don’t eat all the eggs, you’ll have a lot of hungry caterpillars munching on the leaves. With the eggs, come the aphids and the ants, who sort of take care of each other. And then the wasps come along and pick off a lot of the caterpillars which is why so many people will bring the cats inside to raise.
I only have about six of these so far but will continue to add more. I don’t know if I’ll get any Monarchs this year, but hopefully next year.
Milkweed
monarchs flutter, soon
cocooned caterpillars sleep
hurry, I can’t wait
@copyright Susan Taylor Brown
April 24, 2009
Milkweed! I’d forgotten about them! White liquid comes out when you snap the stems open, right?
Yep, that’s the one. And my grandfather used to yell at me for doing that because he said the butterflies wouldn’t have any food.
I like the fun impatience in this one!
thanks. It really needs a good last line but I worked on it for several hours and had to go to bed. Ugh. Revision can come in May.
Ah – Monarchs and milkweed. I like them both. And your haiku also!
Thanks. The haiku needs work but I was happy to go outside and see that the milkweed was coming up just fine.
Susan, I’ve got some. They were in my garden yesterday–three of them–Monarchs! You’ve inspired me to put milkweed on the hillside next year. If I can get tree of those beautiful butterflies without those plants, think what can happen with them. Now I can’t wait.