Was it a blessing or a sign,
this fragile dragonfly,
who flew in through my car window
this warm day in July?
She hovered near the windshield,
making my heart glad,
Landed on the dashboard,
a handy helipad.
I parked and left the windows open,
certain, she’d fly free.
When I returned she had not moved;
a chill came over me.
With greatest care I picked her up—
It was like lifting air.
What unknown cosmic force
contrived to bring her there?
I bent to study closely
those wings like cellophane,
the lightest shade of amber—
the color of champagne.
Her close-set bulbous eyes
stared blankly back at me.
Was this brief brush with beauty
mere serendipity?
I placed her on a nearby leaf
and thought of those departed
who left us richer for their lives
albeit brokenhearted.

—Elaine Parker Akin