Writings by Inez

Hitchhiker

I picked up a hitchhiker in Martelle this morning on the way to work.

Didn't have to stop or even slow down...he grabbed a ride on my Jeep's radio antenna.

Poor little guy, majestic Monarch butterfly all curled around the antenna. I was sure he had passed
away and tried not to look at him for the 4 mile jaunt to the next stop sign. He was all curled up, half
in two, around the antenna - his wings a jumble as the wind passed over him at 60 mph. I was sure
he had passed and tried not to look at him. Poor thing, probably considering his long migration to
Mexico in a few months, enjoying the summer in Iowa - I tried not to look at him.

The more I tried not to look at him, the more my eyes wandered to the antenna and my hitchhiker.
Poor grand butterfly, to have his life end like this - a hood ornament, well antenna ornament. Very
sad, I tried harder not to look at him.

We arrived at the next stop sign and I held my breath as I slowed the Jeep to a quiet halt watching
the Monarch and optimistically hoping he had not passed.

I imagined that he would fall off the antenna and I would leave him there in the country, a heap on the
road. Better to lie here than a steaming parking lot in the middle of Cedar Rapids, here in the country
whose wild flowers he was certainly exploring before his unexpected ride.

In amazement, I watched as he gingerly unfolded his half in two wings and gave 1 tentative flap, then
another. He floated in air suspended above the vehicle hood for a moment, now uncurled from the
antenna. Sure of himself now, I smiled as he went back to flying much as he must have been before I
picked him up.

Leaving him there in the country on the side of Secrist Road in eastern Linn County to enjoy the
remainder of the summer and prepare for his long migration South.

Happy flying Monarch, my early morning Hitchhiker!