Insect Victoriana

From Seaside and Wayside, Book 2, by Julia MacNair Wright, 1888 and 1901 editions, reordered, with commentary:



"Mrs. Ant

begins a new hill

and

as her children grow

they help her."



"Mrs. Sociable Wasp

builds her home

and raises

a brood of babies."



"Mrs. Bee

cuts leaves

to line her nest"



    "Mr. Stag Beetle

    with the horns

    fights with and beats

    his cousins

    who have no horns."



"Mrs. Stag Beetle

does not

behave in this way."



Clearly

Mrs. Stag Beetle

is struggling to get housework done,

her brood off to school,

perhaps holding down another job

foraging for food.



Clearly,

Mr. Stag Beetle

needs meaningful

work to do

or, should,

for the good

of the insect kingdom

kick back with a beer

watch the game

and stay

out

of trouble.