On Living

An italicized passage in Bee’s science book. She and I are weighted under a shared blanket, two dogs snoring at our feet when we read it.

Dolania americana has the shortest lifespan of any mayfly: the adult females of the species live for less than five minutes.

Is that true? she asks me with wide eyes.

Of some, I say. But not all.

Later, I let her jump in mud puddles for longer than usual.

Comments are closed.