Lora loves to write poetry which captures our imagination with figures who embody virtue, kindness, and beauty of the soul.

The Ladybug Queen

There's a ladybug queen
who lives in a garden of roses,
of the flowers she takes special care;
a gown of petals and leaves she wears
from lovely roses grown there.

With gesture and expression so serene,
she is composed
of gentle concern for all creation;
she smiles at all the animals
living by a simple creed
to help those who are in need...

With her lovely
song she charms
and protects all from harm.

She plants the seed
as the desire to do a kind deed
to all those who come.
With her healing touch,
hate and fear disappear
without a trace...
in this magical place.

Enveloped in this aura of beauty

as they breathe in this

fragrant air,

those that are in despair

are born anew

in the light

of her care;

Keener are their senses,

with greater clarity is their vision-

they now see with more

accuracy than they ever had before,

as those who once had little regard for other life...

are newly transformed.

They leave now,

as they embrace all creatures

great and small,

with a greater sense of humanity

and a kinder disposition toward all.

- Lora Hollings

"Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul."- Augustine

"Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service."- Jack Hyles

© 2020 Lora Hollings

Comments

Laurinzoscott from Kanab, Utah on March 24, 2020:

This poem in its simplicity is actually very profound...nice, and who did the flowers??? Lovely image!!!

Lora Hollings (author) on March 22, 2020:

If we don't start taking care of our planet now and show respect for all other forms of life then we will reap the seeds that we sow. Thanks much for commenting on my article, Flourish. Thanks also for your well wishes. Be safe and take care too!

FlourishAnyway from USA on March 21, 2020:

I love the message your poem conveys. Be safe and well in this time of uncertainty.

Lora Hollings (author) on March 16, 2020:

Thank you for dropping by and I appreciate your generous comment, Shaloo. I'm happy you liked the message of my poem. Best Wishes!

Lora Hollings (author) on March 16, 2020:

Thanks Brenda for the read and I appreciate your comment. Hopefully, we can all start taking better care of our earth and all the beautiful creatures that inhabit it before most of them become extinct! I hope that we can all become better stewards of our planet like the Ladybug Queen. Have a great week!

Shaloo Walia from India on March 14, 2020:

What a beautiful poem! May we all be like the ladybug queen- kind and compassionate!

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on February 28, 2020:

Lora,

This one is so sweet.

I love how she is willing to help all creatures and smelling the essence removes despair.

Enjoyed the quotes also.

Nicely penned.

Lora Hollings (author) on February 20, 2020:

So nice of you to drop by, Alyssa. I'm happy that you found the poem's message to be inspiring and one that encourages us to be more loving toward each other and to take much better care of our beautiful planet. I am also looking forward to spring as I love to work in the garden and hopefully, I will see many ladybugs this year. Best wishes to you!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 20, 2020:

Thanks for reading and I really appreciate your wonderful comment, Chitrangada. It was my wish that this poem would have a peaceful effect on people and convey the importance of protecting earth and all of its amazing creatures just as the ladybug queen protects all the life in her garden. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 20, 2020:

Thanks Liz for stopping by and commenting on my article. It is appreciated. I'm glad that you liked the poem and the illustrations. Have a great weekend!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 20, 2020:

Thanks Jason for reading my article and your comment is greatly appreciated. Yes, there really is no better feeling than in helping someone in need. That's wild that you could hear Morgan Freeman reading my poem out loud! I'm deeply complimented. I really like Morgan Freeman and he certainly has the voice to make you sit up and take note. Have a great weekend Jason!

Alyssa from Ohio on February 16, 2020:

What a beautiful poem, Lora! This is a great message and inspiration for us all to be a little kinder to each other, as well as our planet. I must say, it also has me dreaming of warmer days spent under the sunshine, tending to the garden.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on February 16, 2020:

Beautiful poem, beautiful message and beautiful images.

I am a bit late, but Happy Valentine’s Day.

Loved the delicacy and the softness of the poem.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful composition, on this day of love.

Liz Westwood from UK on February 16, 2020:

This is a well worked poem. I appreciate the illustrations too.

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Ruby, thanks for your kind comment. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." How many of us actually live by those words? This is the second commandment. We all need to endeavor to show more compassion to others not only in words but in our actions too. Many blessings to you, my friend.

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Bushra, thanks for dropping by and I appreciate your comment. Yes, I think we should all adopt the ladybug queen's simple creed, to help those in need. If men's hearts were ruled by love, we would have a world where there is no room for hate or fear.

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Harish, thanks for reading and commenting. I'm happy that you liked my poem and its message.

Have a great weekend!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Pamela, thanks for stopping by. I'm complimented by your lovely comment. I absolutely love roses too and that's probably why I love ladybugs so much! There really is no greater gift than love and the blessings that it brings. Many blessings to you!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Rosina, thanks for reading my article and for your gracious comment. Yes, I agree that we should all seek love and the joy that it brings as a consequence. People who give of themselves in helping others whether it is people or animals who need assistance seem to be happier with life. I think it is because they find that this gives their life meaning and that can bring them contentment and peace. I know that when I started fostering animals who otherwise would have been euthanized or abandoned on the streets that I became a happier person as it made me feel really needed and that my life had greater purpose. Blessings to you!

Jason Nicolosi from AZ on February 14, 2020:

Awesome! A beautiful and meaningful poem. Nice job. I enjoyed the art too.

I love ladybugs they are so cute and friendly. I'm all about the ladybug queens creed. Helping others is not only good for those you have helped, but it also gives the person who has assisted an amazing reward too. There's no better feeling than helping someone in need. Knowing that somehow their life may have gotten just a little bit better because of that contribution.

This is gonna sound a little crazy; but, I keep imagining Morgan Freeman reading your poem out loud in my head, and it sounds amazing. Haha. Happy Valentine's Day Lora!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Bill, thanks much for stopping by and commenting. Ladybugs have always been my favorite insects too! I've always been fascinated with them since I was a child. If there was such a thing as a ladybug queen, I always pictured her as being like the one in my poem. Have a good one!

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Lorna, thanks for your beautiful comment. I'm happy that you liked the message of my poem and found it to be a timely one. Yes, I hope that in the near future, we will become more loving people showing greater respect for one another so that are world will become a more peaceful one and show greater compassion to other sentient beings as well. Without love, what do our lives mean and what kind of a legacy will we leave behind us?

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Verlie, thanks for reading and I appreciate your wonderful comment. It just seems fitting to associate ladybugs with virtue since they're so beneficial to gardeners and farmers. I'm glad that you enjoyed the sentiments expressed in the poem. It's always fun to create characters from our imaginations. Have a great weekend!

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on February 14, 2020:

lora this was so beautiful and the message loud and clear. We as humans shall help wherever we can. I love the title. " Ladybug Queen "

Lora Hollings (author) on February 14, 2020:

Thanks for commenting, John. I'm happy that you really liked the message of my poem. I hope that we can all show greater respect for our fellow creatures and take much better care of our planet as well! Have a great weekend.

Harish Mamgain from New Delhi , India on February 14, 2020:

A wonderful poem with a great message of love for all beings. Love reading this poem.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on February 14, 2020:

Lora, This is a beautiful poem. I love roses and using the ladybug is so clever. The message of love and treating the whole world around us with love is excellent. Happy Valentine's Day!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on February 14, 2020:

The ladybug is my favorite insect, so naturally I loved this.

Rosina S Khan on February 14, 2020:

Lora, your lovely poem shows all the right ways of life through the Ladybug Queen. Naturally, all those who need guidance and assistance should follow her. The Ladybug Queen creates a powerful image indeed. There should be people more like her in real life. Thank you for your wonderful contribution.

Lorna Lamon on February 14, 2020:

Such timely advice Lora held within the lines of this beautiful poem. You have captured the essence of what is truly important in life with your use of imagery and well crafted verses. A wonderful tribute to the love we need to share for our world and all who inhabit it. A perfect Valentine.

Anya Ali from Rabwah, Pakistan on February 14, 2020:

'living by a simple creed

to help those who are in need...'

Lovely!

Verlie Burroughs from Canada on February 14, 2020:

Sweet Lora, a perfect Valentine's Day message, lovely and wise sentiment expressed, I enjoyed the whimsy in your artistry. Happy Valentines Day!

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on February 13, 2020:

What a beautiful and important message is contained in this delightful poem, Lora. We need to all follow the Ladybug Queen’s example.