I don’t know if this Blue Dasher dragonfly is long in the tooth (do dragonflies have teeth?) or has simply had a tough life. How do you tell the age of a dragonfly? In any case, his wings are tattered and torn to such a degree that it is surprising that he can still fly. Yet I seem to detect a smile on his face, a reflection of contentment. (Yes, I know, I am guilty of anthropomorphism.)
Tattered wings,but still able to fly
I have been thinking about aging ever since Sunday when I read a wonderful column in the Washington Post by John Kelly entitled “You can learn a lot about growing old from a dog.” Kelly describes how the accelerated aging process of his dog has made him more conscious of the fact that he too is growing old. I recommend the article to all, but want to highlight the final paragraph of the column. Kelly concludes:
“Aging is unknown territory for each of us, despite the fact that humans have been doing it forever. I think there are worse ways to spend your final years than napping next to someone you love, dreaming of what was and what still might be.”
I doubt that this dragonfly will end his final days in peace and contentment like Kelly’s dog, but it is my fervent hope that we can accept the infirmities of growing old with grace and patience, and can focus—as this dragonfly appears to be doing—on the things that we are still able to do, on contributions that can make this world a better place.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Looks like he dodged a few birds..:-)
Ouch. You may have planted a scenario in my brain that will make it difficult to sleep tonight.
Like the butterflies up here in NH they are also ragged from beating their wings in amoungst my blossoms, these guys come close too. I agree with you on the points you made above. My pup is limping, she will see doctor tomorrow it has been 3 days now that is long enough for a slight sprain to let up, I too have learned as I am injured and growing older to just do what I can and when. No more pushing and causing more pain thankfully I too am catching on 🙂
They talk about “aging gracefully.” I am not sure that “graceful” is the word that I would use to describe the way I move when I bend down to pick something up. Still, I’ll take the aging process over the alternative.
Hell Yes Mike damn straight! We are here even if we moan and groan lol I went to Yoga on Monday and have been moving slowly 🙂 but like you said I AM MOVING lol
Wow — this is quite impressive. Great photo of what looks to be a disabled dragonfly. Impressive too that he can still fly, although apparently not well enough to avoid being bitten a few times.