[Glenn Wright]

Version 2
Mayflies

Like fashion models, they flash their gauzy wings,
unable to eat. They flirt and mate and fly,
enjoy an hour of hedonistic flings,
then, starved and spent, emptied of eggs, they die.

The years they’d spent as nymphs, crawling in slime
purchase brief minutes of joyful, glorious time.
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Edits:
L1: Like fashion models, flashing gauzy wings, > Like fashion models, they flash their gauzy wings,
L2: Unable to eat, they flirt and mate and fly, > unable to eat. They flirt and mate and fly,
L5: . . .they spend. . .> . . .they’d spent. . .


Version 1
Mayflies

Their eggs are scattered on the crystal stream,
dropping through swirling currents into ooze.
Avoiding trout and frog, the blind nymphs teem,
spending years concealed in Stygian stews.

Eventually they find their final shape,
emerging in clouds and taking to the air,
seeking the sun’s bright warmth. They must escape
the birds and bats to climb an invisible stair.

Like fashion models, flashing gauzy wings,
unable to eat, they flirt and mate and fly,
embrace an hour of hedonistic flings,
then, starved and spent, emptied of eggs, they die.

What long and difficult suffering they endure
for a moment of doomed glory, painful and pure.