IN A GILDED INSTANT
The monarch’s wings opened as a picture book, fluttering by. It glided, uncertain but undeterred, through a gentle haze of gold and shadow, the garden’s hush punctuated by the faint murmur of leaves. Sunlight filtered in rare skeins, dappling the monarch’s patterned wings as it hovered, hesitated, and then pressed onward—a flicker stitched between petal and air. The world, for one gilded instant, seemed spun from elegant silk.
Painted in oranges, kissed with black lace,
the monarch glides through the air and
pirouettes in a ballet of grace.
Oh, to witness her beauty, a fleeting affair
a living poem, a jeweled muse~
a moment suspended in delicate air.
(Poem written for USPS Stamp Poetry Contest, Robert James Liguori, sponsor)
Finish my poem contest,
Sponsor Mystic Rose Rose .
Posted 12/4/2025
~~~
As she drinks nectar from a flower, sweetness from heaven falls like dew
anointed with a gentle rain amidst sun showers she appears as if on cue
Lifting her wings she lands on a Zinnia beneath a tinted sky of April blue
flight of fancy fanning fast, fabulous marvel, she is beauty true
on true
~~~~~~~
From flower to flower she wends her way, searching, seeking out the very best
The cottage garden flowers they all delight but is on the milkweed she comes to rest.
It’s here she’ll lay her clutch of eggs upon this common plant. and when the babes arrive
They will feed their fill on milkweed leaves, they need them to survive
Then nature, in her mothering way, in silk will wrap them up real tight
And they will slumber on the milkweed leaves ‘til comes the time for their maiden flight
Then through the miracle of metamorphosis when the work of the chrysalis is done
A host of Monarch butterflies, from out the lowly milkweed patch, will rise to greet the sun.
Beloved monarch or milkweed butterfly, Your migration may mystify, Do you migrate from Australia or America?, How do you ascertained the area?, Your journey holds spiritual significance, It serves as a symbol of existence.
Sunlight in a blue sky
Dapples in and out of cottony grey clouds
Warming then soothing in turn
Two retiring humans under a tree
Amid a hundred shades of green
As a large yellow monarch
The king of insects
Glides and flutters by
With a sense of purpose and delicate grace
In perfect juxtapose.
(7/30/24)
Monarch butterfly
Fluttering with grace and ease
Nature's beauty shines
Wings of orange and black
Guiding them on their journey
Through sky and through fields
Majestic and free
Symbol of transformation
Monarch butterfly
I am the monarch of the sky
can outdistance by the miles
every insect, every time
heavy rain or bright sunshine
like a fearless horse I run
in the heart of boisterous winds
like a skater coast and glide
in my effortless cruising style
beauty queen of butterflies
smooth and waxy my chrysalis
green and gold heavenly spun
into a diadem to behold
a green drop of dew my egg
like a flower on milkweed stem
birthing life in green and black
golden gilded for contrast
curious strong alone I fly
gliding vales fields
and mountains
from lowland Louisiana
to skyscrapers Colorado
though alone all summer long
in the fall I flock along
with a million more to fly
for two thousands airy miles
on two inches of wings fragile
tracing shapes of butterflies
fluttering satin color clouds
beating chords of air so softly
into an incredible audible sound
of few millions wings in concert
greeting morning in Chincua forest
Dedicated To: Joe DiMino
An ultimatum flight giving fancy, to monarch wings
of beauty and grace.
Towards the blazing sun she travels deep
into the bowls of heaven, a fearless painted lady
etched *gold *orange* red*, with a touch of black
She becomes a chiaroscuro angel, a Monarch of lace.
Such utter perfection that even Picasso cannot duplicate
Ignorant of endemics of earth her soul is a warrior
through and through, she flies on and on ...
like a Monarch of old to the moon and back she goes,
espying every private room of angels and demons alike.
When God gives you your final ultimatum dear friend,
I pray that you choose well and like the Monarch,
you will choose to go where He leads you,
without ever asking, why ?
Written by: Mystic Rose
a pupa escapes its chrysalis. ~ a Monarch unfolds crumpled wings.
a caterpillar
morphs into a butterfly ~
metamorphosis
Dual pairs of brilliant orange-red wings
with black veins and white spots crown them kings.
And appearing both poised and regal;
to bring harm to one is illegal.
A monarch butterfly flew past.
I wondered if it was the last
‘Cause they are disappearing fast;
Our world will be much grimmer.
For climate change and pesticides,
Plus loss of habitats besides
Means we are taking giant strides
To make our days much dimmer.
These orange beauties did appear
Like clockwork every single year.
Their loss should make us shed a tear,
With hope, a measly glimmer.
Fly monarch butterfly
Fly really, high into the sky
Adoring a sweet, summer day.
What a glorious sight as you flit about on your gossamer wings!
You visit me each day and, Oh!, what pleasure to me it brings!
Welcome to my humble abode, please make yourself at home,
As you sample sweet nectar from my flowers and visit my garden gnome!
You wintered in sunny Mexico and I envy you for that my dear friend,
While I suffered blizzards in Colorado of which there seemed no end!
'Tis awesome that you flew so many miles to return to your favorite haunt,
Guided by The Master Compass Who safeguarded you during your jaunt.
What a sensation of angelic breath you impart when upon my hand you light!
Thank you for the beauty you add to His Creation for my and others' delight!
Godspeed as you begin your journey south, you've brought me so much cheer,
And I pray that you or one of your offspring will visit me again next year!
Black trimmed orange winging,
float alighting on milkweed.
A hushed waltz on blooms.
When I'm lying wrapped in sunshine, discreet I've tried to be. Eager to see your black trim and golden flickering wings. My heart tries to keep a slow steady beat each time I've tried to reach and touch your wings.
golden daffodils
in silence butterfly flit
indulge sweet nectar
7/19/2020
HAIBUN - pick your theme Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Line Gauthier
monarch butterfly
lands atop a crimson rose...
captivating sight
Writing Challenge, October - Butterfly- Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Dear Heart- Wiishkobe Ode (Winner: 4th Place)
Date written: 10/01/2019
I am the monarch of the sky
can outdistance by the miles
every insect, every time
heavy rain or bright sunshine
like a fearless horse I run
in the heart of boisterous winds
like a skater coast and glide
in my effortless cruising style
beauty queen of butterflies
smooth and waxy my chrysalis
green and gold heavenly spun
into a diadem to behold
a green drop of dew my egg
like a flower on milkweed stem
birthing life in green and black
golden gilded for contrast
curious strong alone I fly
gliding vales fields
and mountains
from lowland Louisiana
to skyscrapers Colorado
though alone all summer long
in the fall I flock along
with a million more to fly
for two thousands airy miles
on two inches of wings fragile
tracing shapes of butterflies
fluttering satin color clouds
beating chords of air so softly
into an incredible audible sound
of few millions wings in concert
greeting morning in Chincua forest
Second Place: Brian Strand-All Yours-6/1/019
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