Hawk moth

July 26, 1983

That stunned pilot who thought he was standing still or flying backwards - because beside his plane a giant moth kept pace with him until it spurted to outdistance him and gain more ground - more air, that is, and more air still - as though showing a certain small disdain for human craft and grandiose machine, while insect-wings practiced a subtler skill: that pilot, how he must have hurrah'd to find at last the landing-field where he was bent, toward which he moved advancing at due speed, while moth drew out of sight if not of mind. At least a man accomplished his intent. Yet moth flew faster to his goal? Agreed.