Hmmm, did the Buckeye arrive this far north by chance or by hallowed design?
Butterfly watching is a summer preoccupation. By the time September rolls around, the number of species available to be seen drops to single digits. Fortunately, there are a few species that spent most of the season south of the border but wander north during late summer.
Common Buckeyes are one of these late season explorers. They do not always make it to Southern Ontario, but this year some have. Buckeyes are always a pleasure to spot with their exotic markings – gaudy eyespots on a field of warm brown with dashes of white and orange.
The specimen at the top of this post was enjoying the flower gardens at Humber Arboretum in Etobicoke last Sunday under sunny skies. It may have regretted its decision to venture this far north given the unseasonably cool weather and gray skies that rolled in for the week.
But then again, perhaps it was not there solely of its own accord.
Being the sort of person who is prone to flights of fancy and to digging below the surface for hidden meaning, I cannot help but wonder if Mother Nature had a hand in the visit. Perhaps she whispered to this lovely little creature and sent it forth.
Little Buckeye, my pride and joy, I’m sending you north on a mission. Human beings are rather lost this year because of this phenomenon they call a pandemic. Many are sticking close to home, fearful and uncertain, and are missing out on so much of what I have to offer.
So, my child, wing your way north over the Great Lakes and past the sprawling metropolis of Toronto. I promise I will watch over and protect you on this rather perilous journey. No harm will come to you as you obey my calling.
The destination of your journey is a beautiful plot of flower gardens. You will know it when you see it and will be quite at home there for a week or two. Human beings are congregating in this spot more than usual this year as their souls yearn for me.
Some of those humans will be wearing face masks. This will seem strange to you as it does to me. But do not let it deter you. Your appearance there will bring a smile to their faces, calm their fear stricken hearts and perhaps inspire them to step out from behind the mask.
Human beings are not coming to us this year, so we must come to them where we find them. Little Buckeye, my child, this is a sacred mission and I have chosen you for it.
You will be a winged metaphor, infused with my heart, to remind humans that living in fear is futile, that time does not pause while they quiver in doubt and that lost days can never be reclaimed.
So go forth, my child, and let your beauty open their hearts again. My blessings go with you.
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~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog.
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Tags: butterfly · Common Buckeye · COVID-19 · Humber Arboretum · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · Mother NatureNo Comments