Processionaria
Processionaria, 5th
March
In the woods of Mallorca in springtime caterpillars form lines which can
be as long as three yards. They then
move in procession towards a pine tree which they climb. In the branches of the pine they make a nest
which looks like a ball of cobwebs and is about the size of a football. These nests are removed because any insects
falling on walkers beneath cause a very painful rash on the skin. Mallorcans used to take a shotgun to destroy
the nests, but today quieter methods are used.
They call them
“processionaria” here
For just around
this time of year,
When spring is
getting under way,
These caterpillars
form long lines
Along the paths
among the pines.
They move in
search of some tall tree
Where they can
nest and quietly rest
Through the summer
days not far away.
Just yesterday I
crossed the wood,
Saw them again and
stopped and stood
To give them right
of way,
As was only fair.
I too am sorry
Man’s dominion
Has broken
nature’s social union.
But the queue did
not move.
The line was
quietly waiting there,
For two at the
back
Had fallen away
and quite lost track
Of their
companions up ahead.
The others waited,
Waited.
In spite of all
they had in mind to do,
Their task of
reaching a certain tree,
A certain place
where they had to be,
All of them waited
silent there,
On the open path exposed
and bare,
Open to any walker’s
boot
Or thoughtless
child who proud
Of his little
strength and power
Would crush them in
a second.
Finally,
After much ado and
many false starts,
First one, then
the other
Found the end of
the line.
The message
passed,
And a yard or so
ahead in the heather
The leader put his
best foot forward,
And on they went
in procession again.
I left them slowly
moving together,
All in a line together
at last.
Copyright 2013
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