"You're beautiful, like a May fly"

The quote "You're lovely, like a May fly" by Ernest Hemingway is a fascinating one. May flies are generally considered to be short-term bugs that just make it through for a couple of days. Regardless of this, they are known for their beauty and grace, particularly throughout the time of their mating season.

In relating a lady's appeal to that of a May fly, Hemingway is likely mentioning on the ephemeral nature of human beauty. Just like a May fly's grace is short-term, so too is an individual's physical charm. However, the contrast also underscores the fragile and fleeting nature of appeal. Appeal is something to be appreciated while it lasts, simply as one may appreciate the flight of a May fly.