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Why are butterflies so universally loved? Is it the dazzling colors in exquisite winged art? Is it our reaction to amazing feats of flight? Is it the miracle of change that fascinates us - that wonderful metamorphosis from tiny egg to brilliant insect?

In this collection, Avis Harley explores these questions and the many others that have captivated humans since Ancient Egypt and before. In ... More

Why are butterflies so universally loved? Is it the dazzling colors in exquisite winged art? Is it our reaction to amazing feats of flight? Is it the miracle of change that fascinates us - that wonderful metamorphosis from tiny egg to brilliant insect?

In this collection, Avis Harley explores these questions and the many others that have captivated humans since Ancient Egypt and before. In her introduction, the well-known poetry-as-process author describes how she came to work on this subject: "I discovered while working on The Monarch's Progress that poetry writing is much like the four stages in the metamorphosis of a butterfly: the poet starts with a tiny spark of an idea (egg); chews through a multitude of thoughts (caterpillar); allows the idea to grow, change, and develop (chrysalis); then releases the poem in its final form (imago)." Eighteen structured poems - haikus, tanka, sonnets, villanelles, and other forms - examine how Monarch butterflies taste with their feet, migrate 2500 miles every year, and cover entire forest groves when they rest. Teachers will appreciate not only the variety of poetic forms that their students can emulate, but also the "Small Matters" section at the back of the collection that explains the fact and science to which the poems refer. Illustrated delicately with the artist's full-color pencil illustrations.

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