A Dragonfly Dance
Darting right then left, zipping high then low, Dragonfly caught my attention as I ascended the long set of stone stairs to the house. Entranced by the dance, I stopped to notice, to give this creature of water and air my curious and loving attention. It was as if an invisible roller coaster was installed on my front lawn that only Dragonfly could see. Showing me the way, the flight revealed a circular track that had Dragonfly touching in with me–gently buzzing the tower with each pass. So close, so quick, if only I could feel Dragonfly's breath as Dragonfly moved through the air, so subtle and deft.
I stood with my palms facing up as if receiving a gift–because I was. I began to sing the notes of the flying pattern - up went my voice when Dragonfly flew high and lower as Dragonfly flew lower and longer notes for straighter paths and shorter notes for twists and turns–then, alas, Dragonfly flew around the corner and I winded down my last three notes with hands in prayer. Thinking the show was over, I turned to continue my ascent when Dragonfly suddenly appeared again. Almost as if in response to a standing ovation, Dragonfly swiftly swooped down from the backside of our low roof and resumed the circular flight pattern as before. I resumed my part in singing. Round and round Dragonfly flew... whizzing past, whizzing past, whizzing past, nearly touching each time, until at last Dragonfly flew to a nearby tree and dissolved into the leaves.
Five minutes of connection–that's all it took to fill my soul. The vibration of my voice connecting with the vibration of Dragonfly's wings - how I wish I could hear them. My mother believes her mother makes appearances as a dragonfly–perhaps it was Nanny saying "Hello." I'm wondering if she was trying to send me a message: "Voice lessons!" "Stand up straight!" "Stop wearing long skirts and show your legs!" "Tighten your bra straps!" Always looking out for me in an outward kind of way, back when securing a man was a way of life.
I didn't really hear my grandmother, but I did wonder for a moment if she was stopping by. Some say dragonflies represent transformation or luck. For me, it was just a lovely chance encounter, no matter the kind... all of it or none of it.
In that moment, it was a knowing, an awareness that each was participating, an impromptu choreography of song and dance, of interspecies play. Dragonfly danced, I sang. I sang, Dragonfly danced. Was this a mutual offering? I can't say I know for sure and the scientist mind in me says probably not and likely completely random, and besides it was flying not dancing. But the heart knows and the heart says-"YES!" and "Dancing!" The exchange felt more than random and I found it delightful to spontaneously participate with life. Grateful for the fly-in.
Mind... body ... spirit.
Which do you listen to?
How we respond to these moments can tell us a lot about how we nourish ourselves and how we can in turn nourish all of life.
Slow down. Engage. Begin to understand. Lean-in to your belonging. Love.
Seize these moments when you can, or they will just...
fly...
... by.
Fly high dragonfly friend.