by Jan Napier

While I was out
it hatched

split and quit its
chrysalis

on a first leaf
dull wet wings

folded to a thorax
boxy and squat.

lumpen stubby
moveless till moonlight

wrote silver
on russet

limned antennae
fanned and feathery

moth launched
an unsure orbit

around porch lamp
a bright shadow

brushing
the cusp of dusk.