The Reflex Bleeding
a haiku about the lady beetle's defense mechanism
today’s letter brings you:
a haiku about a lady beetle’s defense mechanism called the reflex bleeding
some existential ramblings about living as a reflex
Dear Reader,
There is a whisper trading secrets with the leaves. It lingers in the branches where birds dare not sit, and I can see her shimmering in the trees when the sun turns her head. Summer lurks in the shadows, pushing bugs up from her dirty feet and allowing them to breathe. While my relationship with insects is tumultuous, that’s a story for another time. I do want to talk about a beetle, though.
Specifically, the lady beetle, or Coccinellidae (kok-sih-neh-li-dee). I’ll be using that as a character name in a future book; stay tuned. Despite the widely familiar cultural name, they are not bugs, but rather a type of beetle. As with many feasting insects, the lady beetle uses their appearance and a toolkit of toxins to evade predators.
One such tactic is called reflex bleeding.
When approached by an enemy, the lady beetle disjoints her exoskeleton, releasing noxious toxins into the air. The brighter the lady’s coat, the more deadly the poison.
Which brings us to our haiku.
LADYBUG FIGHTS
by claudia jean
the reflex bleeding,
secreting toxin to tongue.
lady beetle wins.
a small poem to honor a large victory. claimed for ladies who look like prey. this haiku was inspired by a red-back, black-speckled Coccinellidae. landing on my windshield during a highway cry session, the lady beetle reminds us to unhinge our bones if it means coming home safe.
There are levels to being alive
I often think I’m stuck on the third one: going through the motions. The floor that feels like ceiling, even though I wouldn’t break a bone if I jumped out the window. I am here, and that is fine; but I am not okay, and here is just another place. This level is for those who don’t know about caring for the self.
The reflex bleeding reminds me I do not need to desire life to live.
Living is the reflex, and bleeding is the weapon. When my joints come out of socket, the pain reminds me that we are still far from death. I can shrug my colored armor, too, and release. As life comes after birth, desire follows. That is to say,
you must live to fall in love with life.
Thanks for being here, friends!
When you choose to spend your time reading one of my posts, a chipmunk finds a treasure trove of nuts. If you like my poetry, please consider buying my book. If you don’t like books, consider getting Pike a treat.
If you’re eager, here’s what to look forward to next time:
New Poem: Grief Learns to Beg
New memes
Maybe some open mic evidence, we shall see if how D’s recording skills are!
In case you missed it, I’ll be performing at Palette & Poetry’s Second Saturday Open Mic Night on May 10th! Use code LUVPOETRY for a discount.
Nice writing. You have used animals as an attribute of the writing. I like it.