Of Skylarks and Ladybugs

Overhead
The sound of the skylark
Is shrill, crass
Piercing the air
Hovering just there
At a stone's throw
Willing to be the center of attention --
The universe

Meanwhile, the ladybug
Or bird, as they call it
Perches quietly
On the sleeve
Covering my left bicep
Securely attached
Politely unnoticed

In this group of
Eight or nine or ten
In this group of distant friends
All in a row in the castle photo
There it is, the entire spectrum
From skylark to ladybird
And all in between