A Day in the Life of a Mayfly

By Susan Champion

A Day in the Life

of a Mayfly

is all the time she’s got

to swarm in daylight sky

until darkness calls the shot

a few short hours to soar

and achieve a life time’s goal

would she wish for more

or accept this is her role

along with a thousand others

from the mud they do emerge

some destined to be mothers

as in a cloud they surge

two years in the making

as a nymph she did prepare

for inevitable mating

a courtship in the air

old garment now deceased

become spinners of the sky

some feed a fauna feast

some open wings and fly

for the male work day done

she has one more job to do

back down to where begun

eight thousand eggs may now begin anew