Butterfly

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Her name was Madame Butterfly;
   true love embraced her one fine day.
By sea, he came, neath bright, blue sky,
   on Navy ship from far away.

Love, at first sight, it was for them,
   this naval officer and his
sweet Geisha from Japan, a gem;
   together found a lover's bliss.

His tour was done, and now goodbye
   would break her heart, but he'd return...
he said...then left his Butterfly.
   She watched him leave, with sad concern.

His son was born, and three years passed;
   each day she looked out to the shore.
No sign of him, and she soon asked...
   is he now gone, forevermore?

But, then one day, her love arrived!
   The ship was there moored in the bay.
He had returned, with joy she cried,
   oh, happy day...she knelt to pray.

At once, she saw a woman there...
   and holding hands with her dear man,
the father of her son...unfair...
   he, with a wife, came to Japan.

Her heart now broken; how life turned...
   her true love found then lost, and yet
returned to her...but she has learned
   he's lost forever...such regret.

Her honor lost, her life is done.
   She hugs her son and says goodbye.
Behind the screen, neath morning sun...
   with dagger high...poor Butterfly.


August 7, 2016

~5th Place~
Contest: A Love Lost, Then Found Only To Lose Again
Sponsor: Brenda Chiri-Carroll
Judged: 08/26/2016

~3rd Place~
Premiere Contest: Impaled
Sponsor: Anthony Slausin
Judged: 08/08/2019

Story from "Madame Butterfly" - an opera composed by Giacomo Puccini

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 11/1/2020 8:02:00 PM
Excellent retelling of this classic tale in your signature pristine way. Always a joy to read the fruits of your poetic craftsmanship. Congrats on your win ~ John
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Date: 8/7/2019 12:55:00 PM
Surely a tear-jerker of a narrative, Sandra. Congrats on your trophy win in the contest. Best wishes, Gershon
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Date: 8/7/2019 9:33:00 AM
Sandra, CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win! GREAT poem! Janice
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Date: 8/26/2016 10:42:00 AM
Sandra, yet one more beauty written from your golden hand..congrats on your placement sweet Sandra :)-luloo
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Date: 8/26/2016 9:12:00 AM
Congrats on your win Sandra. This is sad and so deep.Oh why do woman take the wrong step at the end! Wish I could stop all women in the world from doing this...some days back I saw your story in true...
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Date: 8/26/2016 8:44:00 AM
Truly excellent in every respect, Sandra! Congrats on your win. Janice
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Date: 8/26/2016 8:38:00 AM
Great write and win Sandra...Congrats
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Date: 8/8/2016 5:12:00 PM
WoW! Sandra, This is a excellent entry for the contest. You told a story of a love gained and then lost very well. It was such a heartbreaking story. I felt her pain. I think you just secured you a spot on the winners list. Excellent job. I wish you the very best in the contest.A without a doubt seven:-) Alexis
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Sandra Haight
Date: 8/8/2016 7:38:00 PM
Thank you, Alexis. This opera is one of my favorites, and I get teary-eyed every time I listen to it. I appreciate your supportive and uplifting comments and good wishes for the contest. Hugs, Sandra
Date: 8/8/2016 4:16:00 PM
OMG Sandra, this gave me chills! You couldn't have written it with more feeling. I know this will get first place, and if it doesn't, it should. It is simply stunning! A fave for me. This happened to more than one lady who promises were made too. So sad. ; ) 7+
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Marcum Wong Avatar
Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 8/9/2016 2:26:00 AM
I have seen the story/opera and it is so sad.
Haight Avatar
Sandra Haight
Date: 8/8/2016 7:41:00 PM
Thank you, Connie, for your lovely and encouraging comments. The story in this opera is very sad for sure. I appreciate your visit and your wonderful fave and 7! Hugs, Sandra
Date: 8/8/2016 6:22:00 AM
Beautifully penned story...Good luck in the contest...
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Haight Avatar
Sandra Haight
Date: 8/8/2016 7:42:00 PM
Thank you very much, Supraja. I appreciate your visit and lovely comments. Sandra
Date: 8/7/2016 5:19:00 PM
you retold the story very well. A great idea to tell the story of Madame Butterfly. I don't think I am going to make the deadline on this one!!!
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Haight Avatar
Sandra Haight
Date: 8/7/2016 7:30:00 PM
Thank you, Andrea. I love that story even though it makes me weep when I listen to the opera! I know you will present something really good! Hugs, Sandra
Date: 8/7/2016 3:39:00 PM
Sandra, oh this is lovely and so beautifully dramatic, an excellent write, a winner ~
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Sandra Haight
Date: 8/7/2016 7:30:00 PM
Thank you very much, Broken Wings. Hugs, Sandra
Date: 8/7/2016 2:01:00 PM
A story beautifully told, even with the unexpected ending... Just heartbreaking... Good luck in the contest with this great piece of writing!
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Haight Avatar
Sandra Haight
Date: 8/7/2016 7:31:00 PM
Thank you so much, Kelly. I am pleased that you enjoyed reading it. Yes, that is the way the story really ends in the opera...very sad indeed. Hugs, Sandra
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