The other day a Dobson fly landed on me…and I mistakenly had this hunch
that his reason was a simple one…he wanted me for lunch
Since then I’ve done a little reading…and I think my first though was out of whack
for legend says a Dobson fly is given an extra set of wings…
So an angel can ride on it’s back.
And anyone visited by a Dobson fly…need not be afraid or feel blue.
It only means an angel has decided to visit you.
What made me change my thinking…what brought my initial conclusion in doubt
was the person, earlier that week, we were thinking and talking about.
28 years ago Ali’s friend, Chrissy, came with us to the mountains.
They were still in high school…both having yet to hit their prime.
In the two weeks we shared together…we had a wonderful time.
But Chrissy’s later years were troubled…filled with heartache, pain and strife
and years after our two weeks together…Chrissy took her life.
We were on the Blue Ridge Parkway when we thought of Chrissy…
Wondered about her, her life, her death…and all the years that have gone by.
when, the next day, by a river I was visited by a Dobson fly.
A Dobson fly who was not interested eating me my mid day snack.
A Dobson fly who, in all likelihood, had Chrissy on his back.
I like to think Chrissy heard us talking…listened to every line
then hitched a ride on a Dobson fly to let us know…she is doing fine.
I like to think that Chrissy with Dobson fly in tow
still remembers fondly those two weeks…28 years ago.
I don’t know where this legend started…how it initially came to be.
but I will look a little closer the next time a Dobson fly lands on me.
Very beautiful way
..of seeing such a moment. And who's to say it's anything less than true. A real tribute to life and connectivity with each other, and with nature more broadly.
The male Dobson freaks people out because of his giant mandibles, but as I imagine you have come to learn already, they are only used for reproduction (holding the female). The female does not have these, and I've spotted a few females around recently. On the whole, the Dobson's are really out and about now, where I am. Seeing them fly around in the evening near lights. They are almost mothlike, and incredible creatures. A real treat with firefly season starting to fade.