Get Your Premium Membership

Chasing Butterflies

The first butterfly that she chased, Was fluttering in the park; She ran from flower to flower, Chasing until the day grew dark. The next butterfly that she chased, Was a boy named Bobby-Joe; She dropped right out of college And away with him did go. When that butterfly flew away And left her all alone, She looked for other butterflies Instead of coming home. The next butterfly upon the scene, Led her to Hollywood; Chasing a young girl’s dream Of being an actress if she could. After years of heartbreak and failure, Butterflies were harder to find; She looked for help in bottles and pills, Using many different kinds. Her chase for butterflies ended Before she was twenty-nine, And they flew my little girl home to me For a last and final time. I put fresh flowers on her grave Each and every day; Attracting butterflies to her plot To help her on her way.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 10/21/2011 5:16:00 PM
Joe, I feel the sadness in this one..I hope that it is just a topic and not about an incident in your life..Congrats on your win..Sara
Login to Reply
Date: 10/21/2011 6:49:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in P.D.'s "any old butterfly poem" contest Joe. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 10/16/2011 12:15:00 AM
Beautiful Joe. A well deserved win in the butterfly contest.
Login to Reply
Date: 10/15/2011 7:56:00 PM
Joe,,,, CONGRATULATIONS~ and thank you for the support,..p.d.
Login to Reply
Date: 10/15/2011 7:44:00 PM
Congrats Joe on a great second place win luv..
Login to Reply
Date: 10/15/2011 7:29:00 PM
Wow.....symbolism extraordinaire. And even tho' the butterflies will NOT actually help her along the way, this is how the world often thinks...This is such a pure and lovely write! Congrats on catching Linda's heart with your butterfly write. Gwendolen
Login to Reply
Date: 2/24/2011 9:49:00 AM
Congratulations Joe, on your well deserved win for your poem in Debbie Guzzi's contest "Anything Goes". Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2011 11:29:00 AM
It's so sad to lose a child, Joe. I was enjoying the wonderful image of her chasing butterflies, but had tears in my eyes when I read of how you tried to attract the butterflies to her grave. I'm sure appreciates that as she smiles down on you from heaven. Congratulations on your win in Deb's contest! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 11:41:00 PM
Heartbreaking and beautiful. Congrats on your BIG WIN, Joe. Lainie
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 10:23:00 PM
sullenly beautiful, joe! CONGRATS on your fine win.:) huggs, nette
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 8:41:00 PM
I hope this is not a reality in your life..but you write about it with such feeling. Congrats on your win. BG
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 8:31:00 PM
This entry reminded me a bit of the one big hit song recorded by Bob Lind titled "Elusive Butterfly". Congratulations on winning in Debbie's contest with this.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 8:01:00 PM
Congrats Joe on your winning poem in Debbie's contest with this brilliant beauty my friend.. enjoy ...
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 7:56:00 PM
This is a very beautiful and emotional write. Many congrats
Login to Reply
Date: 2/14/2011 6:03:00 PM
Very sad and true to life of many butterfly chasing girls. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Login to Reply
Date: 2/11/2011 8:43:00 PM
Wow, A moving and tragic tale this tells. But you tell it well.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/11/2011 7:13:00 PM
Hi Joe! This is another example of your very moving poetry-- I really like how you used butterflies as a metaphor here, but so sad indeed that her chase for butterflies ended that way-- btw how I hope that this is one of your poems that is not based on your life... I hope your having a great day and sent you soupmail...:)
Login to Reply
Date: 2/11/2011 10:44:00 AM
well that was so sad it brought tears to my eyes Joe, beautifull written piece
Login to Reply

Book: Shattered Sighs