The Butterfly Hunter

THE BUTTERFLY HUNTER (Art by Carl Spitzweg) "A butterfly I chanced to spy", Resting blue on a branch nearby, Another one stood its ally, I chanced to spy a butterfly; A small net, I had in my hand, A cap on my head, my eyes scanned, Seeing them, I began to fret, I had in my hand a small net; How to catch them, give me a hint, My sun-reflecting glasses glint, Each one looks like a huge blue gem, Give me a hint how to catch them! In astonishment, I do gaze, With open mouth, am in a daze, This small net is my punishment, I do gaze in astonishment; With wonder wings, towards the sky, The giant blue butterflies fly, In bright blue hue, there's orange rings, Towards the sky with wonder wings; I watch them go with heavy heart, Their massive size gave me a start, Or else, I'd have caught them, you know, With heavy heart, I watch them go. With ghost-like eyes, in evening sun, I walk away, I'm not the one, I'm no butterfly hunter, wise, In evening sun with ghost-like eyes; My trek thus far was just a waste, No, I could never have them chased, I am no hunter's avatar, Was just a waste, my trek thus far.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

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Kingston Avatar
June 30, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Closing my eyes after reading your poem brings me such a lovely image. Blue butterflies, oh how lovely. I can only imagine What a wonderful comparison "a huge blue gem". They will come back another day, sing softly and gently and they might stay.
One Avatar
June 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
I have a poem with the same name, but a different theme... You took me on a journey here..
Dietrich Avatar
June 17, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Just got your reply. I really need to go see this painting. Like you, I can't do much with my phone. Afraid to look for that painting and lose my place here at Soup
Etgen-Baker Avatar
June 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
never heard of Spitzweg...anyway, catching butterflies is a challenge. I did so with my dad....wishing you well
Goldsmith Avatar
June 17, 2026 at 8:53 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful write. I love butterflies. Have a creative/fun day writing away..............
Dietrich Avatar
June 17, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Oh I love swap quatrains. I should sponsor a contest of them sometime! You did this very well. But I never heard of guy Spitzweg. Was he an author or painter of something called Butterfly hunter?
Vaso Avatar
June 16, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Loved this, in my garden both bees and butterflies roam, if I sit among the flowers they even come into my hands!
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