-- The First Butterfly –

John Herlihy

Once, from a chrysalis, the infant butterfly emerged,

On delicate wings, such magnificent beauty surged.

Never before conceived or known, the first butterfly,

On wings painted by angels descended from on high.

From unlikely beginnings flows the butterfly lifecycle,

A black swallowtail caterpillar one stage in the miracle.

At first, the wings hang down, hovering on the brink,

Draining body fluids beautify the wings with colored ink.

The wings must first uncrumple, then harden and dry,

Hours later, the newly-born butterfly flies into blue sky.

With no sense of knowing, it revels in freedom of wings,

Knowing soon follows, uplifted by breeze, as its heart sings.

A kaleidoscope of monarchs migrates thousands of miles,

Their carousel of colors enliven the soul of children’s smiles.

Monarchs probe the heart of a flower for its sweet nectar,

And roams the corridors of our minds as haunting specter.

The first butterfly to emerge and the last butterfly to depart,

Awakening feelings never before clearly known in the heart.

Thrilled when first sighted, humbled when it takes me home,

Awesome spirit of beauty flying limitless under heaven’s dome.

In keeping in harmony with the laws of nature, forever dutiful;

From the first moment to the last, a butterfly forever beautiful.

A brief moment of beauty gloriously caught in a presence regal

A butterfly, hovering over flowers, smelling perfumes paradisal

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Monday 28 November 2022