The poem “Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs” was inspired during a walk out to the mailbox one morning when I spotted an exploding milkweed pod in all its glory. I ran back into the house to grab my camera and was delighted with the results. I also captured a shot of two more pods mostly intact and picked them for a friend (photo below).
I am a writer inspired by nature and human nature. As a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five, I live in Central Maine on a 37-acre renovated farmstead where I enjoy reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. I advocate for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies—an endangered species (and milkweed, the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).
My children’s book AMAZING MATILDA follows an amazing monarch butterfly through her metamorphosis. I wrote and illustrated this picture book to inspire kids to have patience and to follow their dreams.
~ Bette A. Stevens
- Find out more about monarch butterflies and how to collect and plant milkweed seeds at https://marcpastorek.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/planting-milkweed-seed-for-monarch-butterflies-nows-the-time/
Find AMAZING MATILDA and all of Bette’s books at YOUR AMAZON
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Comments on: "“Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs” a poem by Bette A. Stevens" (48)
I’m now thinking in monarch terms to savor my own life’s “glorious array”
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A wise plan for all creatures, great and small! 💞 Happy Holiday, Jim! xo
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Love this, Bette! I remember a few years ago I found a milkweed plant in our yard and was able to get some great photos, too. I’m so glad you were able to get such a great photo and be inspired to write your poem. Blessings to you! Thanks for linking up with us at the #LMMLinkup. xo
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Hi, Gayl. Thanks so much for the visit, the note and the #LMMLinkup! ❤ Blessings and love… xo
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Oh Bette, what beautiful words you have written. I am so delighted to be your neighbor over at #LMMLinkup today.
PS.. if you are looking for another place to link to on Thursday’s I would love if you would consider joining my new linkup #TuneInThursday – it opens Thursday 3am PST and runs through Sunday night. you can find it at debbiekitterman.com/blog (Please feel free to delete the link if you think it inappropriate).
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Hi, Debbie. Thanks so much for the visit and for your lovely note and gracious invitation. You certainly brightened my day! 🙂 I look forward to following your blog and your #TuneInThursday. Have an amazing week, my new friend!
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[…] “Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs” a poem by Bette A. Stevens shared by Bette […]
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Really lovely! You are such a gifted poet! Thanks for linking up at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
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Your thoughtful comments made my day, Tina. ❤ Thanks and hugs… xo
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A lovely poem. Thanks for sharing, Bette.
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Thank you, Darlene. Appreciate your support and encouraging words. Have a lovely day, my friend! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ xo
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[…] Source: “Milkweed Wishes for Monarchs” a poem by Bette A. Stevens […]
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Beautiful I’m so glad you shared this with #TheCozyReadingSpot
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Thanks so much, Marissa. Have a wonderful week! 🙂
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Beautiful photo and a lovely poem to inspire interest in Monarchs
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Thank you, Carol. Have a most amazing weekend! 🙂 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
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One of my friends has been posting regular pictures on facebook of a monarch chrysalis in all its stages this week! So amazing to watch!
Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
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Hi, Tina. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and comment. I’m delighted to find treasures on you blog. Happy World Book Day & Happy Blogging! ❤
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented:
The photo and poem are both beautiful.
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Love, love, love it Bette! Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, Natalie! Hugs right back to you… 🙂 ❤
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Lovely poetry, Bette. I didn’t know milkweed attracts Monarchs. We don’t see them here much but we have planted butterfly bushes for the butterflies we do have!
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Thanks, Noelle. Sending butterfly wishes for your amazing imagos too! ❤
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Lovely poem Bette.
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Thank you, John! 🙂
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Beautiful poem Bette! Love the title too ~
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HI, Mary. Thanks so much. The title popped into my head when I spotted these beauties. They brought back childhood memories of blowing on those fairy-like dandelion seeds and making wishes as they danced in the sky. Wonders are found in the most unexpected places… Have an amazing day, my friend. ❤
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I had a few plants this year. They appear to reseed easily so I am sure that I will have even more this year!
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How exciting–a new garden for our amazing monarchs to enjoy! Our milkweed tubers, once established, develop new plants from underground as well. I like to collect the seed pods and sprinkle them along paths and roadsides when out walking in the fall as well. Thanks for helping the cause. ❤
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That’s a lovely poem, teaching through lilting verse. I never knew that about milkweed but always liked it.
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Hi, Micki. Thrilled to hear that the monarchs’ message is landing on open ears. Your thoughtful message helped brighten my day. Blessings to you and all of the family! ❤
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“Scatter seeds of love for the Monarchs”! I garden and I don’t attract nearly enough butterflies to my yard. I will read your link to find out how to grow milkweed. Beautiful, thoughtful poem.
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Hi, Linda. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and for your support. I’ve always been in love with butterflies and didn’t find out about the monarch’s plight (near-threatened status) until the late 1990s. Since monarch’s among my favorites, I just knew I had to write a book–and what better analogy for the human plight and life as well. Hope you get lots of butterflies in your garden too! ❤
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I’m going to try and grow them again in the spring. This summer was so dry, I just couldn’t keep them alive. I also need to try a sunnier spot. But I’ll try again, promise.
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I’ve collected a few pods and I’ll send you some. The native ones may be hardier. Thanks for your persistent support! ❤
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[…] https://4writersandreaders.com/2015/11/19/milkweed-wishes-for-monarchs-a-poem-by-bette-a-stevens/ […]
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I love them do we get them here in the uk
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Monarchs are not native to Europe; but to me a butterfly’s (any genus) is a great analogy for human life at any stage. It was British colonists who named the monarch after a colonial governor in the 1700s, when they discovered the beautiful creature on the American continent. Thanks so much for the reblog and for your support, my friend! Have a great day. 🙂
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Wow what a picture Bette! That is amazing! love the poem too!
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Thank you, Lynz! Went to check the mail at the perfect time to capture this amazing shot of an exploding milkweed pod–lucky me. So glad you enjoyed the post, my friend. Have an amazing day! ❤
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So cool! you too Bette!
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Beautiful. I enjoyed reading.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Hugs, my friend.
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Hi, Michelle. Thanks so much for reading, my friend. I was thrilled to have captured the moment on camera and could hardly wait to pen the poem. Sending hugs right back to you. Blessings to you and yours every day! ❤
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So very beautiful! Such a treat.
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Thanks so much, Barbara. Your thoughtful note brightened my day! 🙂
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My pleasure indeed. Monday morning greetings from Southern California.
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I really enjoy your poems, Bette!
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Thank you, John. Your encouraging words are inspiring too! 🙂
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