butterflies
Caryl Ramsdale, American Poet
AN UPSIDE-DOWN TEARDROP
to Mary Skidmore
A butterfly birth is wondrous,
As it slowly struggles to be;
With soft wings all crumpled and wet,
One emerges for God to see.
This new creature rests for awhile,
Then slowly unfolds its broad wings—
To air dry before it’s first flight,
When it shows off those splendid things.
God made some insects beautiful,
Like His colorful butterflies
And blessed those delicate creatures,
With two sharp-sighted, watchful eyes.
Birds, spiders, frogs and lizards,
Prey on this precious little thing
As its wings hook together in flight,
Or stand upright when it’s resting,
God gave them dual antennae,
That balance, help find, and tastes air,
On three pair of thin jointed legs,
Or when it flies around somewhere.
Cosmos and blooming buttonbush,
Green thistles and fluffy asters—
Are four-butterfly favorites,
Fresh flowers this insect prefers.
Butterflies are God creations,
Living a short life of purpose
They come alive to bring forth life,
So another can begin thus.
All filmy and transmitting light,
A silk pad attached to its top—
One more emerges from a cover,
That's shaped like an upside-down teardrop.
© Copyright 1999-2007 Caryl Ramsdale. All rights reserved.
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Copyright© Yuko Ohigashi of Japan_young composer/pianist CD's available
November 18, 2003