Our butterfly is neither madam
nor monsieur, but flight
is the theme
which means anywhere is the domain,
anywhere
butterfly won’t be maimed
or captured
by the criminal element among butterflies
or butterfingers.
The darkening surround may startle
birds, but butterflies
from their milkweed pillow or atop
some pearly groundcover
will not budge
except when trumpeter swans
sound the alarm: Incoming downpour!
Prankish net!
So the tone is set for fear.
Fear of time’s revenges
and fear
of its wondrous ecstasies,
its sumptuous unravelings,
dipped but not too honeysuckle sweet.
Irene Mitchell, a long-time teacher of writing, is the author of Minding the Spectrum’s Business (Future Cycle Press, 2015), A Study of Extremes in Six Suites (Cherry Grove Collections, 2012), and Sea Wind on the White Pillow (Axes Mundi Press, 2009). Formerly poetry editor of Hudson River Art Journal, Mitchell has served as poetry contest juror, and facilitator of poetry workshops. She is known for her collaborations with visual artists and composers.
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