A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Monarch Butterfly Haiku by Bette A. Stevens (+FREE “Help Protect Monarch Butterflies” Poster)

Aside

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Monarch butterflies are a threatened/near-endangered species. The Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for Food Safety filed a legal petition requesting Endangered Species Act protection for the monarch and its habitat.

Plant Milkweed Today

Monarch Butterfly HAIKU by Bette A. Stevens

Regal messenger
Standing at the podium
“Plant milkweed today!”

Did you know that monarch butterflies and the monarch caterpillars’ host plant milkweed is one that monarchs rely upon for their survival?  This summer I was able catch a glimpse of 43 of these regal creatures dancing around my gardens where I encourage milkweed to flourish among the flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables that we grow and harvest here at the farmstead in central Maine. I even managed to capture five of them with my Canon PowerShot. ~ Bette A. Stevens

Four more of the 43 Monarch butterflies sighted at the farmstead as of August 25, 2018.

 

  • To find out how you can help protect monarch butterflies—one of our amazing pollinators— download your free poster here:

PROTECT MONARCH BUTTERFLIES free-poster

More about monarchs

  • Find out how to tell a male monarch from a female monarch and discover other amazing monarch butterfly facts
  • Enjoy monarch crafts, games, gardening and discover so much more…

Download Bette’s free pdf here:

FUN & LEARNING with MONARCHS (free pdf)

Maine author/illustrator Bette A. Stevens
“Inspired by nature and human nature.”

Find AMAZING MATILDA and all of Bette’s books at YOUR AMAZON.

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Written

on 08/27/2018

Comments on: "Monarch Butterfly Haiku by Bette A. Stevens (+FREE “Help Protect Monarch Butterflies” Poster)" (53)

  1. Annika Perry said:
    09/11/2018 at 3:59 am

    A wonderful poem to these ‘regal messengers’ and I’m so happy you’re blessed with so many in your garden! Proof indeed about the milkweed. I must try to find something similar to plant in my garden. The beautiful buddleia attacts butterflies but alas none of the exquisite monarchs.

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      09/11/2018 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks so much, Annika. ❤ Our two Monarch butterfly babies emerged from their chrysalises and are off on their epic journey to winter in Mexico. It was such a delight to watch them transform… Blessings and love as you enjoy the wonders in your unique corner of the globe. xoxoxo

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Natalie Ducey said:
    09/06/2018 at 7:12 am

    Beautiful piece, Betty. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

    Like

  3. mommynificent said:
    09/03/2018 at 11:04 pm

    Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    Like

  4. Monarch Butterfly Haiku by Bette A. Stevens (+FREE “Help Protect Monarch Butterflies” Poster) – Sharon K. Connell said:
    09/02/2018 at 10:15 am

    […] via Monarch Butterfly Haiku by Bette A. Stevens (+FREE “Help Protect Monarch Butterflies” Po… […]

    Like

  5. sharonkconnell said:
    09/02/2018 at 8:47 am

    This is wonderful, Bette. Thank you for the information. I’d like to plant some milkweed in my garden. Do you know where I can get some seeds? I’ve seen fewer and fewer of the beautiful butterflies each year and it saddens me. Let me know if you have a contact to purchase the seeds.

    Like

  6. Deborah Drucker said:
    09/01/2018 at 10:46 pm

    Lovely photos of the monarchs and great of you to promote knowledge of them. 🙂

    Like

  7. smilecalm said:
    09/01/2018 at 1:42 pm

    leaves me
    butterfly
    free 🙂

    Like

  8. AuthorJoePerroneJr said:
    09/01/2018 at 8:46 am

    These beauties come through our yard every year. Did not know about the milkweed, however. Thanks for that. I Tweeted about your post. Hope it helps. 🙂

    Like

    • Bette Stevens said:
      09/01/2018 at 8:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Joe. I’m waiting for my very first chrysalis to emerge as a butterfly tomorrow and have another one on the way as well. So excited and feeling like a grandma-in-waiting again… So far I’ve sighted 50 adult monarchs since July 12. ❤ Have a blessed and beautiful weekend, my friend. xo

      Like

  10. Baydreamer said:
    08/28/2018 at 11:46 am

    Great post, Bette, and beautiful haiku for a beautiful cause. xo

    Like

  11. Annette Rochelle Aben said:
    08/28/2018 at 10:31 am

    So generous of you, Bette! I know that butterflies everywhere are singing your praises! Loved this and shared. ❤

    Like

  12. -Eugenia said:
    08/28/2018 at 9:18 am

    Reblogged this on BrewNSpew.

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/28/2018 at 9:13 pm

      Ever thanks for sharing, Eugenia! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ We now have two monarch chrysalises waiting to become butterflies hanging from the siding on our back porch near the milkweed… Feeling extra blessed and hope I can witness the miraculous transformations! xoxoxo Blessings and love, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. -Eugenia said:
    08/28/2018 at 9:17 am

    They are so beautiful, Bette, and you’re blessed to have them in your garden. I love your haiku.

    Like

  14. Tea With Jennifer said:
    08/28/2018 at 12:59 am

    They are beautiful, alas I don’t think we have them here in Australia.
    Lovely photos Bette, ♥
    Jennifer

    Like

  15. jjspina said:
    08/27/2018 at 8:12 pm

    We have tried to purchase some milkweed plants and have been unable to find any. I did see one monarch butterfly last year around my Rose of Sharon bushes. It was beautiful! I hope they come back this year. Hugs xx

    Like

  16. Marilyn Armstrong said:
    08/27/2018 at 7:49 pm

    We just don’t have enough sunlight to grow it here. By the time milkweed is putting on it’s “legs,” we are in the dark of the woods. I try every year, but it won’t grow here. I also don’t know if we actually GET monarchs here. We certainly have plenty of uncultivated ground where it could grow. I think the conditions are wrong or the over-arching oaks are just knocking out too much sunshine.

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/27/2018 at 10:05 pm

      Hi, Marilyn. Thanks so much for stopping by to support our magnificent monarchs. Here at the farmstead, we grow common milkweed, but there are species to flourish in many diverse geographical regions. Here’s a link that might be helpful V=https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/milkweed-plant-seed-resources/ Believe it or not, I have two monarch chrysalises clinging to the siding on our back porch–the first ones I’ve ever discovered and am so excited. Hope I’ll be at the ready to watch them metamorphose into butterflies in the next week or so… ❤ Have an amazing week! xoxo

      Like

  17. Jill Weatherholt said:
    08/27/2018 at 4:29 pm

    Thank you for this wonderful reminder to help these beautiful creatures. Great post, Bette!

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/27/2018 at 8:22 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Jill. Monarchs and all of our other amazing pollinators need us and we sure do need them too… ❤ Blessings and love… xo

      Like

  18. Tracy Campbell said:
    08/27/2018 at 4:07 pm

    Shared your lovely post, Bette.

    Like

  19. D. Wallace Peach said:
    08/27/2018 at 1:40 pm

    I worry about all these little creatures as global warming changes habitat. Wonderful reminder, Bette, to do everything we can to help them along. Readers may not be able to find milkweed plants at local nurseries, but seeds are available online. They should look for milkweed native to their area 🙂 I just ordered mine!

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/27/2018 at 8:18 pm

      Hi, Diana. 🙂 Thanks so much for helping the cause to protect and provide milkweed for our monarchs and all the other amazing pollinators who need us as much as we need them. Planting the correct variety of milkweed is crucial. Here at the farmstead, it’s common milkweed, but their are suitable varieties for every region. It’s been a sensational summer for monarchs in our little gardens this year. So far, I’ve sighted 45 and amazingly have two chrysalises on the back porch, which should metamorphose into butterflies within the next week or so–the first ones I’ve ever found. Wishing you a beautiful end of summer and blessings all year long! xoxoxo

      Like

  20. robbiesinspiration said:
    08/27/2018 at 1:26 pm

    This is a lovely haiku, Bette.

    Like

  21. Mae Clair said:
    08/27/2018 at 12:28 pm

    We had numerous visitations from Monarch butterflies this past weekend, Bette. An interesting tidbit…I’ve learned so much from you about them, and now every time I see one, I’m reminded of your wonderful posts on their behalf 🙂

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/27/2018 at 8:40 pm

      Oh, what exciting news, Mae… It’s been a banner year for our amazing monarchs here at the farmstead. 45 sighted so far + I have two chrysalises awaiting wings (hopefully within the next week or so) and this is a first for me. I was lucky to spot first a chrysalis and then a caterpillar on our porch siding about 6 feet from the nearest milkweed several days ago… Feeling blessed by another miracle… ❤ Sending lots of love your way… xoxoxo

      Like

  22. tidalscribe said:
    08/27/2018 at 11:39 am

    I never put anything on my garden ( we read Silent Spring at school and I’ve never knowingly touched insecticides since! ), which is why some plants get devoured by snails and slugs! I try to have as many flowers as possible that bees and butterflies like and slugs don’t.

    Like

  23. balroop2013 said:
    08/27/2018 at 10:49 am

    Monarch butterflies are so beautiful. I appreciate that you are making your own effort to help protect them Betty, you are so kind. Thanks dear friend. Stay blessed.

    Like

  24. watchingthedaisies said:
    08/27/2018 at 10:17 am

    I wish we had them here Bette. They are stunningly beautiful 🌼

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/27/2018 at 8:57 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit, Brigid. ❤ Monarchs are truly magnificent creatures. Their wings reflect sunlight like stained glass windows in a cathedral. ❤ Oh, the wonders that abound for us to enjoy… Blessings and love, my friend. xo

      Liked by 1 person

  25. DutchIl said:
    08/27/2018 at 9:57 am

    Use to have many Monarchs in the area in the past but their numbers are decreasing every day, I fear!… try our best to help the Monarch, and other creatures as best we can…. loved reading about Matilda and her friends!.. haven’t started Dog Bone Soup yet. busy at the moment!… have a wonderful day today, and every day!!… 🙂

    “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/27/2018 at 9:23 pm

      HI, Dutch. Thanks so much for your visit and thoughtful note. We’re busy as bees here on the farmstead. Fruits, vegetables and fire wood to get in keeps us moving. This has been a banner year for monarchs in my gardens and I’m counting my blessings and grateful. A few days ago, I discovered a monarch caterpillar and a chrysalis on our porch siding (about 6 feet from the nearest munched monarch leaves) and am so excited. I hope to watch two monarch butterflies emerge within the next week or so. 🙂 Thanks for the words of wisdom and inspiration from Mother Theresa… a lovely reminder that our job is to keep the waters moving. Blessings and love, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      • DutchIl said:
        08/28/2018 at 8:16 am

        Wonderful that you are able to enjoy life and find happiness!!.. there are many that would without a doubt envy you!.. 🙂 between climate change and humans, Monarchs ( as well as other creatures and insects) are becoming fewer in numbers every year, but we keep trying to help… 🙂

        May love and laughter light your days,
        and warm your heart and home.
        May good and faithful friends be yours,
        wherever you may roam.
        May peace and plenty bless your world
        with joy that long endures.
        May all life’s passing seasons
        bring the best to you and yours!

        All the best and love, my friend…

        Like

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