Butterflies Are Free

The wind whistles in the darkness
that is called the human scene.
Repressive waves upon the grass
collect the people to its embraces.
The soiled, home rule approach.
And butterflies are free too fly,
but not I, no, not I.

Conform to established laws.
"Repent ye of all thy sins".
Increase your paranoid eyes,
and Sunday, cry in a church.
A thousand million children die
for the sake of civilized man.
Butterfies fly high and free,
but not me, no, never me.

Your friends out-live you
by their conforming faces.
They are afraid to shine on.
Respecting only businessmen.
The whistling winds converge
in patterns of suppression.
Butterflies fly unhindered,
not so man, never mankind.

The snow covers hatred.
Cold and lonely we all are.
Intent on our solitudes
which we claim is human pride.
The winds of change
fail to collect anyone.
Butterflies fly high and free,
and tomorrow, millions die.

Reviews

[Dragonflyz]

beautiful..very poignant

[Coyote Poetry]

I have seen no butterflies this year in the Detroit area. The pollution is causing great stress on the life of nature. I like the desire and the logic of this poem. Using natures gifts allow anyone to understand life and the flow of the world. Thank you for a outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Esana Bridges]

I love how you italicized the entire thing. It made it feel more mysterious. I like the idea (well, okay I don't like the idea idea, but I like how you used it) that butterflies might be short-lived, but they are free, unlike us. Your diction was lovely and the refrain "but not I, no, not I" even though it changed every time, was powerful.

It's a really beautiful poem and the message it sends is just as lovely.

[Emily B]

those butterflies have been taunting me for years

ever since i learned i could not fly

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Amazing write. There is a sense of reclusive sorrow in this piece. I felt the desolation in your words. Thought provoking and worth the read...(a layered theme) I read this three times. Did I say Amazing?.. It was!

[TawnyBlueStar]

such a sad poem but very true. love it :D