Ode to a Butterfly

Does nectar grow less sweet with passing Time?
Your unrest causes winds to slow their pace
The beating of your wings in pantomime
Now paints your tale of ephemeral grace
Ignoble glutton, laying green to waste
But hiding dreams behind a devil's face
A treacherous wait, a caterpillar's haste
One day to be absolved of its foul crime
To savour long and deep, Redemption's taste

Then patient weaving till the world is sealed
And all of its travails are shunned by silk
In pale confines a soul entombed and healed
An infant feeding on Compassion's milk
Like Tutankhamen's crypt, a sleep of kings
Embracing pleasures of a different ilk
A prayer to solicit a gift of wings
A prowess yet unknown to be revealed
A promise of unbridled wanderings

And what became of that eternal thirst?
Full seven days of dancing on the breeze
The fleeting days too short to fear the worst
The heart too warm for lakes of lust to freeze
But now the beating of that heart is slow
Performing in the shadows of the trees
The age-old sacred rite of letting go
Oblivious to springtime's rich outburst
In tune with twilight's ever fading glow

And so you're tired of your resplendence!
As your mind spins another chrysalis
A shattered shell remains of what was once
A flowing fountain of untainted bliss
And so you choose to kiss the earth goodbye
A transcendental metamorphosis
To break the shackles of the deep blue sky
To taste Ambrosia and to steal a chance
The breathing of Existence to espy
 

Author's Note

Tutankhamen was an ancient Egyptian pharoah, or king. Egyptian kings were mummified and buried in burial chambers inside pyramids along with several of their valuable possessions.

Reviews

[Aleeya R]

This is absolutely beautiful. I read it multiple times in one sitting. It reminds me of John Keats' Ode to a Nightingale - one of my favorites, and I am guessing yours as well? Not only did you emulate his style of writing, but you took it and made it your own. I'm impressed with your use of meter (I still struggle with it, which is why I usually stick to free verse) and with the imagery you used to bring your poem to life. You possess incredible talent, and I do hope you keep writing - I am looking forward to reading more of your work!

[Augustus]

Thank you so much for your astute and generous review, Aleeya! Yes, I am a big fan of Keats, and shades of the characteristic melancholic tone of his poems seems to have made its way into mine. I struggled with meter myself for many years before I got the hang of it. But it was quite rewarding to get there eventually. Metered verse gives a different kind of pleasure from free verse. I've tried both and enjoy both. I'll look at your works soon. Thanks again!

[Aleeya R]

You're welcome! Yes, Keats' poems are lovely, I too am a fan. I agree, metered verse is pleasing to the ear, though difficult to write. Hopefully with time I will be able to produce a poem in meter. Until then, it's free verse for me - but I appreciate and enjoy reading all types of poetry. Anyway, can't wait to read more of your works! You're welcome again, take care!

[J.P. Bristow]

You painted with a myriad of colours ...there was beautiful movement here...a diorama of words and the imagery a delectation for your audience....well done.

[Joshua Thomas]

Love the meter you've used- it was almost a collection of sonnets, but the ending of each stanza prevented it from being so. There is a real talent here, very impressive.

[Augustus]

Thank you Joshua!

[Madalyn Beck]

An insightful write! I was adrift on your words, soaking them in. You've created a beautiful write, Augustus! I truly adore the words you've used to enchant your readers! (:

[Augustus]

Thank you for your kind words, Madalyn! :)

[Reyvrex Questor Reyes]

I would rate this 99/100 if I may. Appropriately worded and rhymed. I am most stricken by the intricate way the idea is presented, as in "Then patient weaving till the world is sealed
And all of its travails are shunned by silk" which is a pleasing contradiction. In my own way, I would say, the cocoon is an "inclusion that excludes all else." And that means the whole world. (This inspires me to go to odes, as the meter is not so strict. Odes were once experiments in sonnets, as it was said)

[Augustus]

Wow! Thank you so much for your generous review!

[Reyvrex Questor Reyes]

You are most welcome, Augustus.

[Gleb Zavlanov]

Gorgeous, lyrical, enchanting and insightful as always. There's nothing in your verse to raise any mark of concern or dislike, as everything can only be loved and cherished forever. Your poetry is very inspiring!

[Augustus]

Thank you so much Gleb! You honour me!

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful poetry my friend. I had to read many times. Your words need to be in print to hold and re-read at will. I like the ancient places and thoughts you took me in the poem. I love the way you use the language. Create vision of beauty and life and death. Many questions can be only answers by reaching the end. The taste of Ambrosia would be worth the journey. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Augustus]

Thank you so much Coyote!

[Tom]

A creative poem using the metamorphic transmutation of the butterfly from caterpillar through to the beautifully, coloured winged insect it eventually becomes, in comparison with the short palatial existence, of a once regal young pharaoh who on premature death is entombed with valuable worldly possessions in the belief that he will again know paradise with the Gods !

A metaphorical masterpiece, elegantly penned !

[Augustus]

Thank you very much for your insightful review!

[Chandradhish Ghosh]

Indeed this is brillian Shreyas...I had trouble understanding the third paragraph...so I had to re read it several times. No wonder you are so proud of this creation! I like your similes and your metaphors. This is rich in words and vivid in its description. What I like is the fact that although you question the vanity of a butterfly...you never take the vanity away. I kind of like that because for certain things vanity should remain. Yes the rhyme scheme...it is ababcbcac...which is unique! Overall...if I were qualified enough to rate this poem, I would rate it very high!

[Augustus]

I can't thank you enough CD! For your insightful review as well as for taking the trouble to read this several times.... I am glad you found it worth your while!