THE BUTTERFLY

 

I walk in the park with a yellow orange sky

white clouds sprinkled here and there

buds are blinking on trees

shouting out that spring is about

to explode in red, pink, yellow, white blossoms

and come summer the leaves will shroud us

from the sun on fire

 

My little one is cheery this afternoon

she hops and skips to catch my long stride

at once I hear a shriek, a squeal

look around and a stunning yellow

and black butterfly touches down

upon my daughter’s small arm

 

Her hand quivers with laughter

and fright

I enlighten her with little hints of

the game plans

hold your hand open and steady

the butterfly will be you friend

if you stroke him, he may fly

to befriend another little girl

 

She affirms my words and walks step by step

gingerly she moves like a sluggish snail

guarding every footprint on the path

considerate of the tiny butterfly

 

I eyeball her to be certain that we are in sync

near the finish of the walk, I caution her

that we must be getting home

she raises her head with persistent eyes

I discern that evidence

my voice amplifies

she turns with her back to me

I repeat my words

to see her stormy face

outstretched arm

a crushed butterfly stains her yellow hands

 

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

It's lovely tale...except for the squashed butterfly. Oh, well, kids will be kids. I was awful cruel to birds when little and armed with a bb gun. The important part of this delightful poem is the springtime experience, walking in the colorful scene with a child.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Sam for a lovely review (kids will be kids!)
Warmly, B

[Tom]

Yes, Spring with her fauna and flora emergence is about to bring forth her bounty, winter almost gone and don't the beautiful butterfly single the sign to be hopeful, so why refute and deny all that is wonderful in life, sure beats me??

" I eyeball her to be certain that we are in sync

near the finish of the walk, I caution her

that we must be getting home

she raises her head with persistent eyes

I discern that evidence

my voice amplifies

she turns with her back to me

I repeat my words

to see her stormy face

outstretched arm

a crushed butterfly stains her yellow hands "

[Betty Hermelee]

So sorry to have missed your beautiful review, my apologies...
Warmly, B

[Coyote Poetry]

I taught my grandchildren what my Ojibwa grandmother taught me. If a butterfly touches you. You can make a wish. If a ladybug touches you. The same. The tenderness of a butterfly. Easily broken. A sad ending to the amazing poetry dear Betty.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you John for a lovely review!
Warmly, B

[Sami Khalil]

Life is so fragile as those wondrous butterflies. This wonderful poem has deep meanings; I like every aspect of it woven in between.
You are a pro

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Sam, doubtful I'm a pro.. just an ordinary poet'
but thank you for that honor!
Warmly,
B

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome Betty

[Mauricio Montoya]

Wow this write leaves the. Door to many interpretations but I love the flow as the words come together but I do wonder is this a person or just another butterfly, nevertheless I enjoyed the read. Thank you for sharing.

[Betty Hermelee]

These are people! Thank you for your kind review!
Warmly, B

[Mauricio Montoya]

Yeah good write

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Mauricio….

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Betty… you brought back Memories of Walks with my daughter Edie Marie… when we visited the Washington National Zoo. On the way to the Car to go home… I asked her .. what was your favorite Animal you saw today? And she said.. “the little Chipmunk scampering on the Side walk as we left the Zoo. Hugs, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

So glad you can relate to this poem Pat
Happy memories...
Warmly, B

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful You nail the sheer joy of being a child.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Thomas for a fine review!
Warmly, B

[Anita Frader]

This captures a childhood moment so many of us can relate to. The wonder, joy, and the sadness.
Beautiful. 3rd verse check the line "the butterfly will be you (r) friend"? 💛

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for visiting and a lovely review!
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

These words show a poet who knows that life is as full of sadness as it is of beauty. Perhaps that little one has learned too early in life that everything living needs loving care and awareness. In spite of the eventual tragedy, your words are a finely laid example of how death comes too easily to the most fragile.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dearest EM for a sincere,intuitive review
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

The light touch is something kids must learn. It's one reason wild animals prefer to stay wild.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you John for a perceptive review..
Warmly, B