Butterflies

BUTTERFLIES in summer-brightTortoise shell and chalkland blueInterspersed with cabbage white-The gardener's dreaded bete-noire-Dance their courtship pas-de-deuxAbove the nectar-feeding flowerBlousy, vibrant, ripened bloomLuring busy honey beesPollen-gathering, pollinatingSetting next year's favoured seed.

Undulating, interweaving,

Zigzagging, sportive-chasing,

Flitting here, darting there

Butterflies everywhere

Silently invade the eye.

Too soon you dance your final dance

Your fragile life cocooned away

Within a chrysalis transformed

Until sun-warm new life is born.

Butterfly enjoy today!

Mary Hale