The Bug Catcher

She was a little tyke
of six or seven, maybe.
The hoop and net almost
too heavy and unwieldy
for her to raise. The
pole double handed
waved the bug catcher
around in a series
of jittery motions.
.
From the porch, we watched
as all the bugs pursued got away.
Butterflies laughed and winged
away in pairs. Bees, fortunately,
went higher and beyond her reach.
.
Persistent, she tried all
morning and for her pains
brought back in a mason jar
one grass hopper, an ant,
and an earthworm.
.
Tomorrow was in her eye
and the net put aside until
playtime came again. More 
energetic running and chasing
the impossible would start
all over. Perhaps, by accident,
a fly, a cricket, or a
lady bug.
.
allets