POETRY

The Lucky Ladybird

I carry one with me always

I carry a red ladybird with me always. She’s tattooed right here upon my inner arm. I had her placed there to be my lucky talisman when I most needed an auspicious charm.

The lustre upon her seems never to fade, and neither, I find, does my great fascination with all the coccinellidae family like her, in all of their charming, unique variations.

While red is the ladybirds’ most common hue, they also can be coloured orange or yellow. And though they are all designated as “lady” the smaller among them are actually fellows.

“Ladybugs” are what Americans call them, whilst here in Great Britain we say “ladybirds”. Entomologists, though, refer to them as “beetles”; scientifically that’s the more accurate word.

Whatever the language we use in their name we all recognise these sweet, delicate creatures. And while some like me believe that they are lucky, many others will argue they have no such features.

But I still believe ladybeetles are lucky, and folklore and children’s rhymes say that they are. How else to explain the good fortune I’ve had since I had this red ladybird inked on my arm?

For more on the folklore surrounding ladybirds and luck, I recommend this fascinating short-read by Adriana Azor:

With heartfelt thanks to Ivette Cruz for welcoming me to “Poetry’s Home”.

Jupiter Grant is a self-published author, blogger, narrator, and audiobook producer. Buy me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/jupitergrant

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