Widow skimmer dragonfly

The Dragonfly

Poem by Louise Bogan; images by Teresa and Brian Woodard taken at the Odonata 2017 conference.

You are made of almost nothing
But of enough
To be great eyes
And diaphanous double vans;
To be ceaseless movement,
Unending hunger
Grappling love.

Link between water and air,
Earth repels you.
Light touches you only to shift into iridescence
Upon your body and wings.

Twice-born, predator,
You split into the heat.
Swift beyond calculation or capture
You dart into the shadow
Which consumes you.

You rocket into the day.
But at last, when the wind flattens the grasses,
For you, the design and purpose stop.

And you fall
With the other husks of summer.

Common whitetail dragonfly male (top) and female (below)

Learn More

• Identify dragonflies: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ohio
• Help count dragonflies: Ohio Dragonfly Survey
• Join the club: Ohio Odonata Society
• Enjoy amazing photos: Dragonfly Photography by Ian Adams

Blue-fronted dancers

Ebony Jewelwing damselfly