It has obviously been a rough summer for this female Halloween Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis eponina). Her tattered wings are testaments to her struggle to survive. We can only speculate about what caused all of that damage, for only she truly knows what experiences led to those ragged edges. Somehow it seems appropriate that the perch that she chose is equally full of rough and jagged edges.
This summer has been difficult for many of us too and I suspect that a lot of us feel as frazzled and beat-up as this beautiful little dragonfly, even though we may not show it on the outside. Be gentle with yourself and with others that you encounter. You never know how fragile they may be or what struggles they are going though—we all have ragged edges.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It does look like she’s had a difficult summer.
Nice Mike! True, true! I agree. Can not wait till things get somewhat back to normal!
Beautiful words of wise comfort, Mike. Great photo as always. Thank you!
What truly great post! I can so relate on so many levels. I know I am not the only one. You captured that perfectly! What a great share all the way around! Blessings!
Such lovely thoughts, Mike. But no photo?!
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
No photo? There must be a glitch of some kind. There is a photo when I look at the post.
In spite of her having been tattered and torn,
She still seems ready to greet a new morn.
Just look at that smug little smile that she’s worn!
As I get older, I am discovering more and more how much attitude matters. I can certainly complain about various aches and pains, but that really is of no help to me or to others. Instead, I’ve found that it is better to embrace new days focusing on new opportunities that are within my capabilities. 🙂
When you have the attitude, it gives you latitude.There are times when a strenuous domestic project has taken the forefront (I’m our family circle’s main handyman), but my eyes are always open for a new opportunity. And, by the way, since we’re talking about entropy, my daughters are fans of the group “They Might Be Giants,” and this is especially apropos–have patience with the (very clever) instrumentation and concentrate on the lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cozCYJCK4Bg.
“You’re older than you’ve ever been and now you’re even older.” Yikes! So true, no matter how much we want to avoid thinking about it. I love the opening sentence in your comment, Gary. I am discovering that as I get older, I am caring less about what others think of what I say or do. For me that is not really a license to be irresponsible, but that attitude indeed gives me the latitude to throw of some societal constraints. 🙂
She chose the perfect perch!!! Yes, we are all tattered and broken. Some just hide it better than others. Thanks for your encouragement.
You described it well, Molly. Many hurting people try to hide it from others, which was one of the main reasons why I recommended that we be gentle to each other. Even when someone tells you that they are fine, that is not always the case.
Great advice, Mike. And the pennant image is well matched to it.
Thanks, Steve.
Amazing and beautiful post Mike, I enjoyed reading what you’ve shared here so much. Have also shared on twitter. Awesome.. well done my friend!
Thanks, Liz. I have noticed that more of my recent posts have been reflective and personal than normal, a consequence, I suspect, of the troubling times in which we find ourselves.