Dawn’s sunlight breaks across the mountain ridge
Illuminating the trees in the vale below.
Mist rises from the creek that flows under the bridge toward the pastures downstream.
Night’s coolness gives way to morning warmth
And summer leaves drift down
Orange and yellow, green, blue, brown and black
The leaves come to life, spreading their wings. Catching the morning breeze
They float from heights above
Down to the willows and weeds gathered at creek’s edge
Lilacs come to life as the butterflies seek out branches
Where they flit and flutter in the morning sun
Each delicate creature a masterpiece of design and beauty.
Wings of stained glass perfection
Slender bodies, strong legs able to grasp leaves as
Butterflies probe flower petals sipping the hidden nectar.
The sun makes its daily trek across the sky
As Earth makes its annual trek around the sun.
Days grow shorter; night’s dominance begins, and
The butterflies sip with urgency
The passage of time and season now visible in their bodies—faded colors; rough, tattered wings; broken or missing legs.
And yet
They continue to wander from flower to fern
Seeking nourishment to sustain them for the days and nights ahead
When the butterflies seek warmer climes
And summer leaves.
