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Meadow Butterfly

The butterfly, its crimson mottled wings
flitting in the delicate Autumn breeze;
uncurled proboscis taking sweet nectar
from early dawns, newly opened daisies
does not regard the corpses of the men
whose dead eyes ever stare the grass below
fresh attention-seeking meadow flowers.
Men's bodies yet unclaimed, save for ravens
who do outpace the sunshine-seeking flies
and vacillating mothers, sisters, wives
to take an early feast of tongues and eyes.
They watched from high upon a sunlit hill
the eve before, gold sun on flashing blade,
the yet unhacked brawny sinuous limbs
rip through the waves of verdant sweeping green.
And all but them were silent for a while
the wind had stopped, the cawing of the crows,
the crickets chirp, the children's playful laugh,
until the clash of steel on steel on flesh.
The butterfly, its crimson mottled wings
lifted by the delicate Autumn breeze
is taken to a meadow fresh and new.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Crandall Avatar
August 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Great poem, I like the way it's all sandwiched between the butterflies at the beginning and end.
Miller Avatar
August 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Thank you David
Baker Avatar
August 15, 2025 at 10:09 PM
An engaging poem, Terry. Even with all the danger present, the butterfly still remains the beauty and hope as it returns to the meadow. Have a great weekend, my friend. Bill
Miller Avatar
August 17, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Thank you Bill
Etgen-Baker Avatar
August 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
a poignant poem, filled with the beauty of sadness (if that makes sense?)
Miller Avatar
August 17, 2025 at 7:55 AM
It does, thank you Sara
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