The Butterfly

Whatever stirs the tips of copper and urges buds to swell
comes with the suns expanding heat, a welcome spring induce,
for the urge is now returning from survivors of the winter
to prepare accomplishment in nature’s drive to reproduce.

Proboscis touching nectar in the reds and gold’s and blues,
plus other hues; a jewel that flits and dies on it’s third day,
aware its progeny exists where wattlebird and wrens keen-eyed
scan through the boughs and foliage seeking out their prey.

In the multitude of leaves upon our garden shrubs and trees,
where leaves of chlorophyll become necessities for being,
but contentment with our vibrant garden (which is not a natural home)
turn to sadistic battlegrounds with two parties disagreeing.

For unseen there in this greenery with a natural camouflage
of needed stripes, spots and shapes, for the grazer to survive -
out comes a dust and spray or powder; quite offensive to the land
to obliterate one single insect, but leave nothing there alive.

Lying curled and twisted on the ground; unthinking in this victory,
that death of beauty in it's early stage be destroyed without detection.
Guilty of two months destruction, pruning trees a little ragged
in our world of perfect angles with no time for imperfection.

When beak and claw complete their cull, move on and kill no more,
and genocide is over - thank God - a miss has just let one slip by
to transform and look so harmless in its chrysalises form …
preparing now for metamorphosis - to become a butterfly.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Thompson Avatar
December 30, 2021 at 6:13 AM
Wonderfully written. Thoroughly enjoyed both the read and the message, to which I can relate.
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:28 PM
Hello Ronald ... unfortunately, any creature that we should share this earth with will not survive if it doesn't comply with our lifestyle. Pleased you can relate to this Ronald - Lindsay
Delaney Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 4:44 AM
Such beautiful insights into the wonders of nature,Lindsay. Always good to read your poems. SuZ
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:24 PM
Hello Suzanne ... thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, nature can provide all our needs - thanks Suzanne - Lindsay
Hargreaves Avatar
December 23, 2021 at 9:06 AM
Hi Lindsay. Enjoyed reading this. Your fourth stanza is so relevant to how we treat wildlife. Unseen in the greenery - dust, spray and powder, offensive to the land. Insecticides galore. Reminds me of Carson's book, 'Silent Spring'. Tony
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:21 PM
Hello Tony ... whatever poisons kill the insects in time will result in problems for humans. As insects become immune, insecticides become stronger and chemical companies don't give a hoot - thank you Tony - Lindsay
Lane Avatar
December 21, 2021 at 1:22 AM
Fantastic lines, Lindsay. I enjoyed the entire story.
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:17 PM
Hello Lin ... I'm pleased that you did enjoy this poem on the life of a butterfly - thanks Lin - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Enjoyed the write even though it does not take very long for Monarch caterpillars to strip a crown flower bush of its leaves. They don't stop to breathe! Aloha! Rico
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:15 PM
Hello Rico ... so correct Rico. Gardeners despise caterpillars without thought of their eventual grace and beauty. So what is the answer? Thank you Rico - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 3:55 AM
Love to see them in the garden in summertime but no chance for a few months as we head for the depths of winter. Merry Christmas to you and your Lindsay. Tom
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:10 PM
Hello Tom ... oh yes; the butterfly is the sign of grace and beauty - thank you Tom - Lindsay
George Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 12:31 AM
So sad is the fate of these short lived flitting butterflies. Their life span is so short despite the fact that they are such a delight. A beautifully composed poem Lindsay !
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:08 PM
Hello Valsa ... thank you for your encouraging comment Valsa - Lindsay
Logan Avatar
December 19, 2021 at 8:39 PM
I really enjoyed your rhyming lines, Lindsay. Only 5% of butterfly eggs survive to emerge from the chrysalis.
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:07 PM
Hello Jenna ... yes unfortunately. The caterpillar is a much sought after food source - thank you Jenna - Lindsay
Faulkner Avatar
December 19, 2021 at 5:04 PM
How sad and moving, especially the lines 'death of beauty' and 'no time for imperfection' - but change is sometimes necessary for transformation~
Laurie Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 7:05 PM
Hello Michelle ... what would our world be like without butterflies. We love them, but many never make it to this stage - thank you Michelle - Lindsay
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