Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore--
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more."
. . .
. . .
Soon again I heard a tapping something louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is and this mystery explore--
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;--
'Tis the wind and nothing more.
. . .
from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
.Would that I could write such poetry. But I too, in the midnight silence, heard a sudden TIK at my window.
It turned out to be a visitation by a big praying mantis!
Strange . . . I was praying a bit before going to bed when the Mantis religiosa (his scientific name) appeared. It was nice to have someone to pray with.
Especially since mantis is Greek for prophet.
Luckily there was a screen between us. A mechitza maybe?
;-)
.
You're invited to the Camera-Critters meme to see other bloggers' animals.
very cool, and at least it was outside and not in!! I have never seen one of those before, don't think we have those up here in Canada!!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have them here in Hawaii but I don't see them anymore. That's a huge one on the screen. Wow!
ReplyDeletePoe was an amazing author, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this..I've always liked these guys-
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteYour prayers evoke response!
Thanks for sharing your privacy of heart with us. Aloha, Dina
Praying Mantis are a friend of the garden, they eat the insects that destroy plants. A good find.
ReplyDeleteI liked your take on the insect and enjoyed reading the lines. :)
A huge Mantis on your wall, Dina: I hope it has gone away very soon! :-)
ReplyDeleteAren't they weird, prehistoric looking creatures? I must have tons in my garden but they usually hide very well. Maybe this one wanted to pray in company.
ReplyDeleteDina:
ReplyDeleteThe GOD CAN slogan is pre-Obama. Thanks for the visit. Our computer hard drive crashed this month, last month, my camera stopped auto focusing. So, I have been dealing with technology more than being online. My bookmarked list of blog friends was lost with the hard drive, so hearing from people like you, Hilda, Cieldequimper, etc. is making it easier to establish the old address list!
Jan
Greensboro Daily Photo
this looks huge - i am already freaked out just by the sight of it!
ReplyDeleteEdgar Allan Poe at night is best avoided :-)
ReplyDeletePS You were quite right!
They're so formidable looking!
ReplyDelete