Butterflies

They flutter and hover
And float on the breeze.
They shiver and shimmer
And weaken the knees.
Fickle and fragile,
They tickle and tease.
Fleeting and flimsy,
Deceptively free.  

These frivolous creatures, 
These knots of desire.
Once spindles of yearning, 
Now spools of barbed wire.
Once pulling like petals, 
Now pricking like briar.
Once soothing like honey,
Now burning like fire.

Violently thrashing,
It struggles to rise.
The truth comes up gasping
From whirlpools of lies.
Shed this charade 
And discard your disguise.
I know you enjoy
Drowning blind butterflies.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Jolly Avatar
February 10, 2021 at 1:59 PM
Wow, I love this so much! I love how as I read, the realisation dawned that I was not reading about what I originally thought.. Very powerful and beautifully written. Sara
Ryerson Avatar
October 9, 2014 at 2:46 PM
I miss you and I miss your poetry...Sending Soup Mail - Your friend, Tim
A  Avatar
July 18, 2013 at 10:40 PM
HEATHER, :-). Congratulations, with your awesome HIT in the poet destroyer's contest. Hugs & Hugs** SKAT
Ryerson Avatar
July 14, 2013 at 5:48 PM
To my favs you go pretty butterfly...Congrats again - Tim
Dietrich Avatar
July 14, 2013 at 1:51 AM
I think this is maybe a third win for this one and it is much deserved. Congrats!
A   Avatar
July 14, 2013 at 12:07 AM
Stopping in with smiles.... :-) :-)... Congratulations, Thank you for taking your time and hooking me up with an awesome OLD # 1 hit... I had a hard time choosing the winners... please enjoy my blog when you have time. Hugs & Hugs.... xox~ LINDA
Merryman Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Heather, congrats on your fantastic 1st place win! Love, Kim
Jordan Avatar
March 13, 2013 at 10:11 PM
The transition is fantastic! Wonderfully done... Congrats. Jack
Taylor Avatar
March 13, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Outstanding well deserved win, Heather. Congrats. Nice going. hugs, Ralph
Hunter Avatar
March 11, 2013 at 6:44 AM
Does I see Heather at the top again?...I do..I do. This one is deeper than it seems at first...love it and congrats!
Squyres Avatar
March 10, 2013 at 11:07 AM
This ended with a surprise to me...so I re-read and boy !!! did you ever cover this subject well !! Congrats on your win !!
Ryerson Avatar
March 10, 2013 at 4:36 AM
Stunning poem, Heather...great alliteration and perfect rhyming!...My brothers and me collected butterflies and moths as youngsters...to this day I can name practically every spieces...Fantastic write and congratulations! - Tim
A   Avatar
March 9, 2013 at 7:15 PM
Love the energy of your poem, Congratulations with your awesome butterfly poem... it's fluttering xool...always~ LINDA
Smith Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 9:45 AM
This becomes one of my favorites right now! Please read my own "Where do the butterflies go".
Brown Avatar
November 15, 2012 at 7:35 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win in Susan's "Poem Not Entered in a contest" Heather. Love, Carol
Gasun Avatar
November 13, 2012 at 8:05 AM
Many congratulations on your awesome win Heather! hugs, LG
Dietrich Avatar
November 13, 2012 at 7:58 AM
I sure remember this one and it scored high like the other butterfly poem I just saw. Way to go. BIG congrats in the contest.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
November 13, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Congratulations on your win Heather, well done xx
Merryman Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Congrats on your win, Heather! Love, Kim
Reynolds Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Very interesting piece. It's one of those to reread at least once to grab everything it has to offer.
Sweetheart Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 5:41 PM
CONGRATS HEATHER ON A DYNAMIC WRITE AND WIN LUV IN ANY POEM..
A   Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Heather, congratulations in Susan's contest... xox~pd
Falotico Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Another gem from your talented mind. A true poet my friend. Hugs Michael
May Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 11:41 AM
well penned Heather...congrats on your win
Poet Avatar
November 12, 2012 at 8:04 AM
This is amazing!!Congrats Heather on your win.
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace