This summer morning, we are walking a trail at Speedwell Forge in northern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, following the serene flow of Hammer Creek. Rounding a shadowed bend, we find ourselves at the edge of a broad, wet meadow, amidst a flutter of eastern tiger swallowtails—dozens of seemingly social butterflies browsing wildflowers in balmy breeze and dipping to sample buttery, sun-drenched cup plants. Suddenly, the world is fanciful and fragmented, our vantage filled with gold-dust wings, black stripes and tapering chevrons, fine bluish scales and downy red spots. It's as if we are tumbling through a youthful toy kaleidoscope, with flecks of mirror, chips of colored glass, festive scraps of paper spilling and shifting in a cylindrical tube with effervescent impermanence. A few elegant black morphs join the frolic, and we are dazzled, albeit disoriented, by this fleet moment of joyful purpose.
While we've happened upon several butterfly kaleidoscopes over the years, more frequently, we encounter eastern tiger swallowtails engaged in solitary task—dabbling on dew drops, puddling on streamside gravel or sand, poised on a luxuriant summer bloom. As morning light passes through trembling, powder-scaled wings, swallowtail wings almost match the reverence of stained glass—shards of translucence formed into something beyond words and captured image—something beautiful, enduring, and true.
When we are young, and even as years fall away, there is a part of us that wants to believe in always, in forever—and we cling to a notion of constancy—hoping that the center holds, that things make sense, that there is something or someone fending off chaos, disintegration, despair. In truth, moment by moment, the present tense is already past: the world keeps turning, a joyful moment will surely slip by, and inevitably, we will move through challenging times, when grief and sorrow leave our understanding shattered on unfamiliar, unyielding ground. In some cultures, swallowtails symbolize hope and regrowth, the prospect of piecing together something beautiful, enduring, and true in the aftermath of difficulty. We think how time—time of ease and time of struggle—is measured differently for swallowtails… ten days, twelve days, two weeks is a lifetime. As we travel across the world, not on wing, but step by step on winding trail, perhaps we can find joy in the fleet moment, purpose in the given day, and integrity across the seasons. Maybe there are new ways of contemplating always and forever. We look to the swallowtails. —B.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails
by chance
we encounter
a bright kaleidoscope
of flutter and delicate scale—
the ease
of a meadow frolic,
the weight of a moment—
somehow
they find
the joy of eleven daybreaks,
the peace of ten twilights—
the breadth between,
a dance
of breeze and dusted wing,
the stillness of stained glass
measured to final rest.
—B.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus)
makes the most of every day. Native to the Eastern United States, it is an icon of the
butterfly world, easily recognized by its yellow wings and tiger stripes. The
males are usually bright yellow, while females may be yellow or black with neon
blue shading on their back wings. The Tiger Swallowtail commands attention,
making it a favorite of children and other butterfly-watchers, but also making
it vulnerable to predators. From the minute it emerges from the chrysalis, the
butterfly has evolved to protect itself and live fully. Young adult males seek
nourishment immediately and will typically seek out some pals, puddling together near a water source, drinking and extracting nutrients from the wet
soil. When butterflies gather like this, it is called a kaleidoscope, a
swirling mass of moving colors that disorients hungry predators while providing
some safety in numbers. Female Tiger Swallowtails are mostly solitary, protecting
themselves largely through mimicry. They have evolved to look like other
unpalatable species in their community—thus explaining their color differences.
Both males and females fly high above the tree canopy as they begin their
mating rituals. Males establish a territory, releasing pheromones and performing
aerial ballets—loops and dives—to impress nearby females. Once they are
paired, the mating process can last for several hours. Females are picky about
where they lay their eggs, preferring the leaves of plants in the Magnolia or
Rose family. The eggs take about a week before hatching into caterpillars. What
might be most fascinating about the life of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
butterfly is that it is so fleeting—after emerging from its chrysalis, it lives
only about twelve days. It is a reminder of the beauty of impermanence, and the
extraordinary value of an ordinary moment. —D.
Want to connect with your inner butterfly? Butterfly Position (Baddha Konasana) is a seated yoga pose that opens hips, improves flexibility, and reduces tension. Suitable for most bodies and levels of experience, it is a good pose to practice being present in the moment. Come to a seat on the floor with both legs extended in front of you. Breathe deeply several times. On an exhale, bend your knees, move your hands to your ankles, and gently bring the soles of your feet together in front of you. If this is uncomfortable, you can try elevating your hips by sitting on a cushion or folded blanket. Depending on how it feels, slide your feet closer or further from your body. If your knees resist dropping down to the floor, no need to force them—just notice where they fall and keep breathing deeply. Inhale and sit up tall. Exhale and listen to your breath. Inhale, and on the exhale, allow your back to round and your head to relax forward towards the floor. Your hands can clasp your feet in front of you or rest naturally on the floor. Once you have reached a comfortable deep stretch forward, take several slow breaths in and out. On an exhale, slowly roll back up. Stretch your legs out in front of you again and shake them a little to release any tension. Notice how you feel. Take some inspiration from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and enjoy the moment. —D.
STAY near me—do not take thy flight!
A little longer stay in sight!
Much converse do I find in thee,
Historian of my infancy!
—William Wordsworth, 1770-1850, English Romantic Poet
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