Dragonflies

These dark-bodied creatures of the air,
born in the water,
remind me of tadpoles
the way they sit in the sunshine
on the sandy trail
snaking like a slow-moving stream
through this nature preserve.

They rise as feet approach,
the way tadpoles swim off
when hands enter creek waters.

Season’s End

Last evening
the hummingbird came by
seeking sustenance
from the few remaining red monarda petals
still dangling on mildewing plants,
then hovered
where a feeder of sugar water once hung,
welcoming her in spring.

This morning
when the creaky ancient calls
of sandhill cranes
sounded across the land,
I wondered if that was farewell.

Just then
a flock of geese rowed over,
southward,
confirming what I already knew.

Christel Maass enjoys spending time in nature, where special moments inspire her writing. Her poetry has previously appeared in Bramble. Christel lives in Southeastern Wisconsin.