Delicate Strength

This week I received my first blog post request.

“I’d like a poem,” she said.

“And more butterflies. But, not ones that are dying…something more fanciful.”

DDahnButterfly1

A scratchboard illustration I did of a fanciful butterfly

 

I had been thinking of writing about the frog fungus that is killing all the frogs, and then when the tornado hit Oklahoma, I couldn’t think of much else. Life is so delicate. So fragile.

But there is strength in delicate things, too. What is more delicate than a butterfly? Yet butterflies live amazing lives – sometimes migrating thousands of miles, and flying as high as jet airplanes. They’ve been surviving for millions of years.

Lives may be fragile and delicate but life-force is strong.

DDahnButterfly2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here’s the rest of my butterfly illustration…

I did this illustration of butterflies and flowers on scratchboard (a chalk-covered board covered with ink and scraped with a sharp tool)

I did this illustration of butterflies and flowers on scratchboard (a chalk-covered board covered with ink and scraped with a sharp tool)

 

And, as requested, here is a poem.

Because I always do what my mother asks.

 

WordsworthPoemCover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WordsworthPoem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WordsworthPoem2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 thoughts on “Delicate Strength

  1. Wow… What gorgeous scratchboard works! I did that…once…and I know how tedious and difficult it is. I adore the one with the flowers and butterflies. Love the Wordsworth poem, too.

    • Thanks, Christina! I used to love doing scratchboard, but it began to hurt my hand so I don’t do much anymore. My watercolor brushes are much kinder!

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