Eulogy for a Moth

I watched a moth, its furry lines

Belimned by a seductive illumination,

It circled round its deadly love,

Dangerous tango of circumnavigation.

I tried to warn the little one,

‘Twould for any creature that crept, or flew, or swam,

But it did not understand my

Paltry use of language Lepidopteran.

Icarus in miniature,

Its obsession led to final ruination,

And I, considered more advanced,

Spent the following hours in rumination.

I could have sat in calm darkness,

Let my eyes adjust to quiet contemplation,

But no. I had to light a beacon,

Something to prevent my frightful exhalation.

Strong bulwark against velvet night,

Devoid of comforting electrification,

I mourn the mayfly-like life gone,

So now, let short life lead to edification.

‘Twas my solitary lantern,

Ingress of monochromatic kaleidoscope,

That led to mournful event’s turn,

So I must choose: my memory, elide, or cope?

Of orbits I shall contemplate,

Nocturnal butterfly against powerful flame,

My own against this sapphire globe,

Terra’s twirl with Luna partner in hour-ful game.

Sol’s flamenco, in spangled robe,

Keeps the furnace burning, captured in ev’ry breath,

Circles, ellipses, fine orbits,

A life-ly dance surrounded by the void of death.

As I stare at my plasma ball,

Phosphoric, visorious, and microcosmic,

I honor a moth’s fatal fall,

Euphoric, glorious, joyous, meteoric.

Little lives, me, moth, creatures, all,

We reach, desire, intense collaboration,

We light the flame, we heed the call,

Win or lose all, in artistic inspiration.