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A Butterfly Encounter

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I walk through the wooded area near my home where a monarch butterfly greets me. I watch it as it swims into the air, letting it eddy beneath her wings. She dances past me with her black veins upon sunny orange wings. She’s elegant, almost alluring with her delicate beauty. Despite the crisp autumn air, I stand perfectly still and watch her, mesmerized as she flitters about the nearby field seeking nectar for strength to complete her migration to Mexico. She patiently gathers the nectar then gracefully but silently flies by me as if to say ‘goodbye’ before continuing her journey. I watch her until she disappears from my view. My soul is a flutter, filled with boundless hope and inspiration. savor the flowers put on your brightest colors let your beauty show let go of the past trust in the future, unfurl your wings, ride the breeze The annual migration of North America’s monarch butterfly is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Monarchs can travel between 50-100 miles a day; it can take up to two months to complete their journey. The farthest ranging monarch butterfly recorded traveled 265 miles in one day. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home! (Information courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)

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Hiya Sharma

Date: 10/9/2023 4:35:00 AM

Oh my, beautiful Sara! I wish I was there with you to witness the enchanting scene of this magical butterfly, but at the same time, your words gave me full content about these descriptions and made me feel that I was present with you there.. I love nature and especially something about butterflies definitely intrigues me! Your imageries and delicate nuances that you've painted with graceful brushstrokes, ah, they are mesmeric! "She dances past me with her black veins upon sunny orange wings" Wow

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/9/2023 8:13:00 AM

thank you, dear Hiya, for visiting my poem. I'm grateful you felt as if you were there with me. I appreciate those words. Yes, there's something intriguing about butterflies...delicate but strong. Thanks for appreciating my imagery. I'm also grateful for your consistent visits to my page and your support. Have a blessed day, Sara

Valsa George

Date: 10/8/2023 8:23:00 PM

This is so beautiful and informative ! Reading this 'my soul is a flutter'. I too get mesmerized by the beauty of butterflies that often visit my garden. The information about monarch butterflies and their flight are amazing !

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/9/2023 4:19:00 AM

thanks for your visit, Valsa. We have many butterflies, too. I love watching their graceful flight, even in the high winds. They are truly amazing. Thanks for your kind comments, enjoy your Monday, Sara

Karen Jones

Date: 10/8/2023 3:44:00 PM

This is so beautiful. I like the black veins description. Also it was very interesting to read about their migration. This was put together well Sara!

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 4:55:00 PM

thanks for visiting my site and for reading my poem. I'm grateful you appreciated both the Haiku and the information. Have a pleasant evening, Sara

Abdullah Alhemaidy

Date: 10/8/2023 11:51:00 AM

Very nice poem! Informative write! Enjoyed read! Have a very nice time ~AA

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 2:32:00 PM

thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you consistently reading and commenting on my words. Have a blessed evening, Sara

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/8/2023 10:39:00 AM

- Beautifully written ... interesting to read additional information/the facts about this butterfly ... amazing, Sara - hugs

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 2:33:00 PM

thanks dear Anne-Lise for visiting my site and reading this poem. I hope the information wasn't too much...it's the teacher in me I suppose. :-)

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 10/8/2023 10:27:00 AM

Graceful description of a lone butterfly gathering its last nectar. Your imagery is of the highest quality. Bless you.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 2:34:00 PM

thanks for visiting, Victory, and for your lovely comment about the imagery I created. I appreciate your feedback. Have a blessed evening, Sara

Sotto Poet

Date: 10/8/2023 10:27:00 AM

Sara, your Haibun is truly a great. It has the power to touch the depths of one's sou. From the moment I started reading, I was captivated by the intricate details that painted vivid pictures in my mind. Your words flowed effortlessly. I was amazed by the vast array of different things you shared, each described with such precision and beauty. Your ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and concise manner is remarkable. And the cherry on top, the two concluding haikus

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 2:48:00 PM

thank you, kind Sotto, for your uplifting and encouraging comments. I'm grateful you appreciated the details regarding the monarch butterfly. I'm a former teacher and learned over the years to be descriptive but concise in order to hold students' attention. Thank you for your 'cherry on top' compliment regarding my ending Haikus. Your poems are eloquent as are your comments.

Ink Empress

Date: 10/8/2023 9:00:00 AM

As i read your beautiful words, i forget about all the other worries, soul warming haibun this is, your words leave me captivated and in awe with how your lines just flow so seamlessly and how you paint imagery is beyond me! So stunning! And i love researching about butterflies and different names and kinds of butterflies, i remember when my son was a toddler i used to take him to different butterfly gardens in various countries, he loved it..thank u for this insightful write. Impeccable!

Ink Empress
Date: 10/8/2023 9:02:00 AM

nd those haikus are so empowering and uplifting, especially “ put on your brightest colors let your beauty show” “let go of the past” yes no need on dwelling, go with the flow allow new things in, such inspiring words! Stay blessed this is another fave for me

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/8/2023 7:05:00 AM

Yes, ride the breeze. We see them here sometimes, but more often we see what are called viceroy and painted lady. It is so nice to see them flitting around amount what little I have blooming now that I am not really able to do gardening. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara K

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 8:18:00 AM

thanks for stopping by, Sara K. Thanks, too, for sharing your butterfly encounters. I think we have monarchs because of our close proximity to Mexico. I couldn't help but wonder that the one I saw today was either lost or intentionally was sent to me to make by day. Thanks for consistently reading and commenting on my poems. Enjoy your Sunday, Sara

Silent One

Date: 10/8/2023 6:08:00 AM

Love it when your teacher side comes out :). This is an educational haibun and you always do these well. Was really great to learn about the different things. You are also very good at explaining and finishing off with two great haiku.. Always a pleasure to read.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 10/8/2023 8:16:00 AM

thanks for your visit, Silent One, and for acknowledging my 'teacher side.' Old habits die hard. :-) Thanks for your compliment about my Haikus. Glad they're a pleasure for you to read. Have a pleasant day, Sara

Joe Dimino

Date: 10/8/2023 6:04:00 AM

Lovely imagery; great personification. Miraculous transformation, I exit the delightful, elegant cocoon of imagination you have wrapped me, now impressive with sunny and night tinted wings, join in your fanciful migration -- no offense to anyone, but I prefer Southern Italy.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 10/8/2023 5:51:00 AM

A beautiful encounter, Sara. Thank you for the note at the top--it adds to the essence of your poem.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/8/2023 5:33:00 AM

I have watched a video of this and where the butterflies come together is breathtakingly beautiful. I enjoyed this piece. Thanks again for your lovely visit.