The Lucky Ladybird

I carry a red ladybird with me always.

She’s tattooed right here upon my inner arm.

I had her placed there to be my lucky talisman

when I most needed an auspicious charm.

The luster upon her seems never to fade,

and neither, I find, does my great fascination

with all the coccinellidae family like her,

in all of their charming, unique variations.

While red is the ladybirds’ most common hue,

they also can be colored orange or yellow.

And though they are all designated as “lady”

the smaller among them are actually fellows.

“Ladybugs” are what Americans call them,

whilst here in Great Britain we say “ladybirds”.

Entomologists, though, refer to them as “beetles”;

scientifically that’s the more accurate word.

Whatever the language we use in their name

we all recognize these sweet, delicate creatures.

And while some like me believe that they are lucky,

many others will argue they have no such features.

But I still believe ladybeetles are lucky,

and folklore and children’s rhymes say that they are.

How else to explain the good fortune I’ve had

since I had this red ladybird inked on my arm?

©️ Jupiter Grant, 2021

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Jupiter Grant is a self-published author, blogger, narrator, and audiobook producer. Buy me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/jupitergrant

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