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Aerial Ballet

Two butterflies I saw one summers day
Mesmerized me with their antics in flight
Looked like an aerial ballet display 
A dingy skipper and one that was white.

They landed on a rock warmed by the sun
Both taking a rest from their dance routine 
Shame it was just an audience of one
T'was the best ballet that I'd ever seen.

I think they both sensed that I wanted more 
Graceful fluttering's without any flaws
Both rose to perform a stunning encore
I felt like standing to give them applause.

Performance over they both flew away
Their brilliant routine had made my day.



Written 4th October 2019.

Writing Challenge October - Butterfly Poetry Contest.

Sponsored by Dear Heart - Wiishkobe Ode.

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Paula Goldsmith

Date: 5/16/2020 4:06:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. I love butterflies. They are so fun to watch. Enjoy your win and day...........

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/16/2020 4:25:00 PM

Thank you Paula, I love to see them, a sure sign of summer. Tom

Gideon Idudje

Date: 5/14/2020 2:03:00 AM

Wow So so Interesting Bravo !

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/14/2020 3:05:00 AM

Thank you Gideon, glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 12/17/2019 8:33:00 PM

G'day Tom … observing nature does have a mesmerizing effect. It is so hot here today, I doubt if a beautiful butterfly will be out in the blazing sun; I know I won't be - thanks Tom - Lindsay

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/18/2019 12:50:00 PM

Thank you Lindsay, I saw how you're experiencing very high temps, I hope you aren't affected by those terrible Bush fires. Tom

Paul Callus

Date: 10/25/2019 2:37:00 PM

Your butterfly sonnet wowed me, Tom. Loved the ballet and personification. Last time I went to London zoo I truly enjoyed the butterfly paradise,,,same at Whipsnade! Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/27/2019 10:44:00 PM

Thank you very much Paul, they are such graceful creatures. That must have been an amazing experience for you. Tom.

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 10/21/2019 4:15:00 PM

Great Poem I really enjoyed it!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/22/2019 1:41:00 AM

Thank.you Timothy. Tom

Quoth Theraven

Date: 10/12/2019 2:27:00 AM

Tom, This Sonnet as Silent One observed, certainly best in class. The audience of one will have to do for now. The chaste love to remain on your tongue alone and always. -Richard

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/12/2019 1:29:00 PM

Thanks very much Richard, although we have autumn now I was surprised to see one in my garden today. Tom.

Ann Gilmour

Date: 10/10/2019 1:47:00 AM

I have only just found your beautiful sonnet Tom that brings their exquisite display to life. To have witnessed this glorious ballet must have been so special and by penning your poem you have enabled me to witness it too. Thank you! With kindest thoughts Ann xx PS congrats on your win too

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/10/2019 2:07:00 AM

Thank you very much Ann, my one year old grand son has been in hospital so I haven't been on here much. Thankfully he's at home now recovering. Butterflies are wonderful to see for sure especially on a warm summer day. Hope you're well. Tom

Constance La France

Date: 10/8/2019 7:33:00 PM

Tom congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with this wonderful poem!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/9/2019 3:54:00 AM

Thank you Constance, and also for hosting, hope your well. Tom

Sandra Adams

Date: 10/8/2019 7:31:00 PM

i love butterflies, always watch them flutter around...i also love this sonnet, you brought that dance to life, their audience is no longer one...beautiful sonnet Tom :) hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/9/2019 3:53:00 AM

Thank you Sandra, they are beautiful to see in summertime. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/8/2019 10:42:00 AM

It does seem that butterflies realize the magic of their flights of fancy. Nicely penned sonnet, Tom! Smiles, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/8/2019 1:52:00 PM

Thanks very much Gershon, glad you liked it. Tom

Harry Horsman

Date: 10/7/2019 9:49:00 PM

The wonders of nature Tom, never fail to impress, and made ever better, with poetry like this.....Yes settling in, in Western Australia, such an amazing place.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/8/2019 10:12:00 AM

Thank you very much Harry, I bet you're not missing the wet and cold of the English weather. Glad all's well. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 10/7/2019 3:40:00 PM

A blessed piece Tom, excellently penned! Hope all well now back home. We're up in Scottish highlands this week enjoying the break with the winds too. Blessings,Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/7/2019 7:13:00 PM

Thank you Gordon, settled back now after our break, hope you're having a nice time. Was up that way a few years back at Strathpeffer. Hold on to your hat. Tom

Ts Poetry

Date: 10/6/2019 8:36:00 PM

A day you soon won't forget Tom...it's the little things that make life beautiful.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/7/2019 2:14:00 AM

Thanks TS, that is so true. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/6/2019 8:22:00 PM

wonderful, Tom!! I hope it placed high as U see it's a winner!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/7/2019 2:14:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, got third place which I'm pleased about. Tom

Silent One

Date: 10/6/2019 2:44:00 PM

Oh wow... This is probably your best sonnet...the rhyme and flow is really good..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/7/2019 2:13:00 AM

Thanks very much S.O. Where's the sun gone lol. Haven't reclimatised yet. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/6/2019 11:45:00 AM

- Congratulations Tom, on a great win in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/7/2019 2:10:00 AM

Thanks Anne, there were some great entries for sure. Tom

P.S. Awtry

Date: 10/5/2019 7:25:00 AM

"Shame it was just an audience of one T'was the best ballet that I'd ever seen."--What a special gift. You've captured the magic of a butterfly encounter in this sweet sonnet. Reads like a winner to me!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/5/2019 10:43:00 AM

Thanks very much T.S. ,a beautiful sight they for sure. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/4/2019 2:19:00 PM

Beautiful colorful dancing ballerinas - butterflies - they are mesmerizing - how can people kill them as a hobby and put them in an album or a glass cabinet on display - I thing this is a terrific write Tom and most definitely best for a win! Blessings, Jennifer.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/13/2019 10:39:00 AM

Whooooooooops - think!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/4/2019 10:56:00 PM

Thank you Jennifer, beautiful creatures indeed, I love to see them.in summertime. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 10/4/2019 1:48:00 PM

I love your description of the butterflies, Tom. There is a place in Georgia with a Butterfly Pavilion. They will fly to you and sit on you. It's a special feeling to be close to creatures to beautiful. Outstanding entry for the contest. Wishing you success! Hugs, Carolyn

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/4/2019 1:56:00 PM

Thank you Carolyn, sounds an amazing place to visit. Saw loads last week in Turkey but home now to a cold autumn. Enjoy the weekend. Tom