The Charms of Young Children

Blue Dasher

A newly emerged damsefly (probably a Violet Dancer) flew across the path and up, and up, and up into a tree. Standing there, watching it lift, I realized I wasn't alone.

A boy, aged 5, I think, since his mother later mentioned he'll start kindergarten this fall, asked, "What is she looking at?"

His father answered, "A bird, maybe?"

"Dragonflies and damselflies," I answered as they moved past.

The boy asked, "Who are those red ones?" After I answered, he asked, "Why are they smashed together?" 

I said, "They're mating!" and his mother smiled.

Then he brightened my day. With a gesture of two fingers to his eyes and then mine, he said, "Eye to eye, man!"

Indeed. Eye to eye.