August 08, 2013

1080. partial colors

a tiny tail feather of a
blue jay, this evening before
nightfall, along the border grown
in hearty, tall, same green weeds cove
ring bright Jay's planted succulents, unique
each one, paired in families complementary to each.

a large gift, winged from
Nora spread in the kitchen, cool
prize of something like wet leaves, yet no
thing, except the death of a leaf's color, for this
gift was a blue monarch butterfly, dying with one gorgeous
wing, covering its submissive body attached, baring dignity in its

colors spread twice in bits
on the floor. I thanked Nora
and cried, lifting the beauty to a
paper towel, all parts blessing,
seeing God through
butterfly grief.

Posted by nancy at August 8, 2013 10:59 PM
Comments
John, thank you for reading my poem. I am glad you approve of it. Of course, this delights me. A professional friend of mine assured me that butterflies live about two weeks. I think she was offering comfort, and I accepted her words as comfort once I realized her words were unexpected fact, kindly said. Comfort in grief is like cold water, sometimes. Stark, but welcome when considered. I will see your blog and look for the poems you have written on the death of butterflies. Diane Ackerman wrote marvelous about hummingbirds' lifespans. (I shall now Preview this post so I can Post it. I'll include the password, to nerd out the action: 846832) Now, to land it: 751611. Posted by: Nancy at August 9, 2013 08:52 PM
"butterfly grief"! As one who has written on the death of butterflies, I heartily approve! "colors spread twice in bits" very nice. Posted by: John Eells at August 9, 2013 08:23 PM
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