Poetry/nature symbolism.Monarch catepillars only eat milkweed.Includes information for my poem's inspiration. We visited several of these incredible sanctuaries in California.
On a table in a wintered garden
that once fluttered with Monarchs
sits a vessel with dead Poinsettias
and the decadence of dried decay.
The chill of death drove them away
from a spread of infinite Isms
and microcosmic indifferences.
They flew for survival.
They flew to be immune from the spasms
of neglect and social starvation.
Self was swallowed unless they migrate
and lay the eggs of progeny in warm wait.
Their thirst was watered and cocooned,
muffled from the noises carried on the winds
from a window’s skyscraper-
protected from the vortex of voices
that drown the one into none.
Clara Mae Gregory
01/10/2014
Posted on 01/10/2014
Copyright © 2026 Clara Mae Gregory
The world's largest monarch sanctuaries are actually located in the mountain oyamel fir forests of central Mexico (such as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve), not in California. However, California is famous for its own crucial coastal overwintering sanctuaries, where the western monarch population clusters during the winter.The most significant and largest publicly accessible winter habitats in California include:Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove (Pismo Beach, CA): Located along California's Central Coast, this grove is one of the largest in the nation, historically hosting tens of thousands of western monarchs that cluster in the eucalyptus and Monterey cypress trees.Natural Bridges State Beach Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve (Santa Cruz, CA): This is the only designated State Monarch Preserve in California. It provides a vital temporary home and features an accessible viewing boardwalk.Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary (Pacific Grove, CA): Known as "Butterfly Town, U.S.A.," this urban preserve is one of the most famous and highly visited viewing sites in America, situated near the Monterey Bay area.Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove at Ellwood Mesa (Goleta, CA): Once one of the largest single overwintering groves in the state, this expansive grove near Santa Barbara provides a sprawling, peaceful natural habitat for monarchs.
Poetry by Clara Mae Gregory
Read 9 times
Written on 2026-07-07 at 00:58
Save as a bookmark (requires login)
Write a comment (requires login)
Send as email (requires login)
Print text
Some Need Milkweed
On a table in a wintered garden
that once fluttered with Monarchs
sits a vessel with dead Poinsettias
and the decadence of dried decay.
The chill of death drove them away
from a spread of infinite Isms
and microcosmic indifferences.
They flew for survival.
They flew to be immune from the spasms
of neglect and social starvation.
Self was swallowed unless they migrate
and lay the eggs of progeny in warm wait.
Their thirst was watered and cocooned,
muffled from the noises carried on the winds
from a window’s skyscraper-
protected from the vortex of voices
that drown the one into none.
Clara Mae Gregory
01/10/2014
Posted on 01/10/2014
Copyright © 2026 Clara Mae Gregory
The world's largest monarch sanctuaries are actually located in the mountain oyamel fir forests of central Mexico (such as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve), not in California. However, California is famous for its own crucial coastal overwintering sanctuaries, where the western monarch population clusters during the winter.The most significant and largest publicly accessible winter habitats in California include:Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove (Pismo Beach, CA): Located along California's Central Coast, this grove is one of the largest in the nation, historically hosting tens of thousands of western monarchs that cluster in the eucalyptus and Monterey cypress trees.Natural Bridges State Beach Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve (Santa Cruz, CA): This is the only designated State Monarch Preserve in California. It provides a vital temporary home and features an accessible viewing boardwalk.Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary (Pacific Grove, CA): Known as "Butterfly Town, U.S.A.," this urban preserve is one of the most famous and highly visited viewing sites in America, situated near the Monterey Bay area.Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove at Ellwood Mesa (Goleta, CA): Once one of the largest single overwintering groves in the state, this expansive grove near Santa Barbara provides a sprawling, peaceful natural habitat for monarchs.
Poetry by Clara Mae Gregory
Read 9 times
Written on 2026-07-07 at 00:58
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text|
Albert Vynckier |
