Persistence

Lesson for those who really want to achieve something:

follow the example of the lowly boxelder bug.

Every year in Minnesota they appear from nowhere

with one goal in mind--to get into our houses

and spend winter vacation there. They ride in on our hair

or slide through each crack we've left unprotected,

creep around the edges of screen windows

when we open the casement on September days

warm yet smelling to the bugs like coming winter.

They will not be denied.

Late February, when sun begins to shine again,

you'll find one clinging to a window pane,

soaking up the sun.

Where was it for four months? Keeping company

with a winter fly who outsmarted the swatter?

Sleeping in your summer slipper?

Many's the boxelder bug I've escorted outside again,

squeamish about killing a harmless creature

that flew into my life not planning to bite,

and wondered if it would find its way back to me.

I should have tagged it with a felt-tip marker just to see.

I'm thinking of these boxelder flyers today

because just tonight--the day before my birthday--

they honored me by helping me watch the sunset

from the sixth floor window,

unfortunately for them an impermeable entrance.

It was 81 degrees on September 28,

but their DNA knew they must get inside by hook or crook.

They won't give up.

They don't give up.

Let that be your example.

September 28, 2021