The Year of the Butterflies

Awakened to rise on silken wings, The beauty of the evenings; To colorfully swirl, all aflutter, In their dance of chaos utter! They came en masse on summer breeze; In a mystery of mysteries. Dizzying in scented golden heat; Yellow above the fields of wheat! This is the year that nothing dies; This is the year of the butterflies. All aglow the monarchs of the meadow, And ever flitting in silver moonglow. Destiny comes and won't be stayed; This summer will never fade, Like the memory of bittersweet June; Like the flowers crammed in a room. Whispering wings fill the air; Never again sight so rare; These are the days new hopes arise, This is the year of the butterflies! This poem is dedicated to Rev. Jesse Jackson, whom I met as a teenager, after joining his organization. He encouraged me to write. Keep hope alive!