The Red commander

Helios drove his chariot across the earth

from east to west spreading the yellow light

lay on his mask the red commander Moduza

vermilion red mussaendra bloom in monsoon

dropped by the droplet and of the brownish frass

the midrib protruded in support of the spiny cat

metamorphosed chrysalis hung with cephalic horns

waited seven days, watching the weathered leaf

open to spread the colorful wings and set its flight

unfortunate it curled up and fell down but it tried

predators from Terra caught hold of it, held tight

weaver ants spun it between the edges of the leaf

workers stitched it inside, food for days to come

spotted female oviposition visit to host, life that moves on.