Episyrphus Balteatus

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 07 Aug 2012
  • 2538 reads
12 comments
 

One day they flew in like locusts,
appearing across the land,
seduced by warm...sultry breezes,
wings transparent...suspended,
lingering with anticipation,
reminding me of the sweet...
orange sugary spread ,

with gruelling effort...as
determined as I compiling
words of inspiration,
they seek out the sweet
tasting fruits of their desires,

for some the journey an
arduous test...the savagery
a promise of a last resting place,
as their demise threatens to
conquer these invaders,

now as the people flee
that of their own demeanour,
as if a demon were upon them,
almost crazed I cry out in honour
of this undervalued frequenter to
our shores...harmless...precious
winged ones that hover in our skies.

Certificate U
Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by well-wisher on
Marmalade Hoverfly. I hadn't heard of it until I read your poem Jenny. Perhaps people mistake them for wasps. There was one stanza that I had difficulty understanding though. "for some the journey an arduous test...the savagery a promise of a last resting place, as their demise threatens to conquer these invaders," When you say "as their demise threatens to conquer these invaders" are you still talking about the hoverfly and, if so, who are the invaders? Otherwise, it was an interesting and enjoyable poem.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on
Fascinating poem. never heard of them before - now have been compelled to look them up! A pleasing piece Linda

Linda

Submitted by ScoZen on
I got stung by one of them once. Put me off marmalade Must go zzzzzzzzz
ScoZen

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi JoHn, firstly can I say thankyou so much for reading my poem. To explain what I was trying to convey:- millions of these hoverflies came to our shores, drawn by the hot weather we had. Some made it, but some didn't and were washed up on the shore. The savagery of the sea and conditions meant that they would not survive. They were found along the shoreline dead, that was their resting place. Their demise meant that a lot died and so were not able to make it inland and so the sea conquered these invaders to our shores. Perhaps I should have been more clear in the way I wrote it, but I was trying to be as poetic as possible. Thanks for letting me know and commenting. Really appreciated. Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi there Linda, it's always good to know that I've been able to give some information out. Sometimes things about nature fascinate me and having the internet out there, is always so useful. Thankyou for your kind words, which I do appreciate. Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Good morning ScoZen, I think you said you live by the coast, which means you probably experienced these little creatures. But I hope you don't mind me saying, It was definitely not a marmalade Hoverfly that stung you, because they don't sting, it could have been a wasp, as they do look very much like the hoverfly. Anyway enough of that. Thankyou for reading and taking the time to comment. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Mark Heathcote on
Good write Jenny, invaders always cause havoc and upset the balances in place but isn’t that what pushes evolution along… :)

Mark Heathcote

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
The 'marmalade hoverfly'...I certainly have never heard of these winged creatures before. Thanks for informing me of them, Jenny, in the most delightful and poetic way. Must look out for them in my garden;-) Very much enjoyed. Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Mark, I think you're so right. I actually think it's so sad that so many of these tiny creatures got washed up on the shore. But those that did survive hopefully flourished, and are collecting nectar in our gardens as I write. Thankyou so much for reading and leaving such a kind comment. As you know I always appreciate them. Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, glad I could introduce you to this marvolous little creature, they are such hard workers, just like the bees, but don't seem to get any credit for what they do, so that was why I thought I'd write this poem. Thankyou for reading and as always really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Thankyou again. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Highhat on
Ah Jenny- what a tribute! I think these are what we in danish call- flowerflies- yes they are harmless and such a joy to see on all the flowers. I have hundreds in my garden.. ;)Pia

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Wonderful Pia, I'm so glad they've come to your garden, they do so much good, they also eat aphids, as well as collecting nectar. I bet your garden is looking wonderful and giving you a lot of pleasure. Thankyou for commenting and glad you enjoyed. Jenny.