THE BUTTERFLY

THE BUTTERFLY

A Poem by Betty Hermelee
"

ouch!

"
 
I walk in the park with a yellow orange sky
white clouds sprinkled here and there

buds are blinking on trees

shouting out that spring is about

to explode in red, pink, yellow, white blossoms

and come summer the leaves will shroud us

from the sun on fire

 

My little one is cheery this afternoon

she hops and skips to catch my long stride

at once I hear a shriek, a squeal

look around and a stunning yellow

and black butterfly touches down

upon my daughter’s small arm

 

Her hand quivers with laughter

and fright

I enlighten her with little hints of

the game plans

hold your hand open and steady

the butterfly will be you friend

if you stroke him, he may fly

to befriend another little girl

 

She affirms my words and walks step by step

gingerly she moves like a sluggish snail

guarding every footprint on the path

considerate of the tiny butterfly

 

I eyeball her to be certain that we are in sync

near the finish of the walk, I caution her

that we must be getting home

she raises her head with persistent eyes

I discern that evidence

my voice amplifies

she turns with her back to me

I repeat my words

to see her stormy face

outstretched arm

a crushed butterfly stains her yellow hands

 


© 2024 Betty Hermelee


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Reviews

Oh, what a very sad ending to an otherwise beautiful poem. Children will be children, I guess, dear Betty. A superbly depicted write dotted with wonderful figures of speech which enhance the story. Perfectly worded, you bring Springtime to your reader in the middle of Autumn. I love how you tell your beloved daughter about the Butterfly and how he may befriend another little girl if she gently strokes him. A magical write which I so enjoyed reading. Thank you so very much for sharing, dear Betty. I love this enchanting poem...

Posted 2 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

2 Months Ago

Thank you so much Marie for an excellent review 🌷
Warmly
B
Marie

2 Months Ago

Most welcome always, dear Betty...
It's lovely tale...except for the squashed butterfly. Oh, well, kids will be kids. I was awful cruel to birds when little and armed with a bb gun. The important part of this delightful poem is the springtime experience, walking in the colorful scene with a child.

Posted 8 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

8 Months Ago

Thank you Sam for a lovely review (kids will be kids!)
Warmly, B
Yes, Spring with her fauna and flora emergence is about to bring forth her bounty, winter almost gone and don't the beautiful butterfly single the sign to be hopeful, so why refute and deny all that is wonderful in life, sure beats me??

" I eyeball her to be certain that we are in sync

near the finish of the walk, I caution her

that we must be getting home

she raises her head with persistent eyes

I discern that evidence

my voice amplifies

she turns with her back to me

I repeat my words

to see her stormy face

outstretched arm

a crushed butterfly stains her yellow hands "

Posted 8 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

8 Months Ago

So sorry to have missed your beautiful review, my apologies...
Warmly, B
I taught my grandchildren what my Ojibwa grandmother taught me. If a butterfly touches you. You can make a wish. If a ladybug touches you. The same. The tenderness of a butterfly. Easily broken. A sad ending to the amazing poetry dear Betty.
Coyote

Posted 8 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

8 Months Ago

Thank you John for a lovely review!
Warmly, B
Life is so fragile as those wondrous butterflies. This wonderful poem has deep meanings; I like every aspect of it woven in between.
You are a pro

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

Hi Sam, doubtful I'm a pro.. just an ordinary poet'
but thank you for that honor!
Warm.. read more
Sami Khalil

9 Months Ago

You are welcome Betty
Wow this write leaves the. Door to many interpretations but I love the flow as the words come together but I do wonder is this a person or just another butterfly, nevertheless I enjoyed the read. Thank you for sharing.

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

These are people! Thank you for your kind review!
Warmly, B
Mauricio Montoya

9 Months Ago

Yeah good write
Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

Thank you Mauricio….
dearest Betty… you brought back Memories of Walks with my daughter Edie Marie… when we visited the Washington National Zoo. On the way to the Car to go home… I asked her .. what was your favorite Animal you saw today? And she said.. “the little Chipmunk scampering on the Side walk as we left the Zoo. Hugs, Pat

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

So glad you can relate to this poem Pat
Happy memories...
Warmly, B
Beautiful You nail the sheer joy of being a child.

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

Thank you Thomas for a fine review!
Warmly, B
This captures a childhood moment so many of us can relate to. The wonder, joy, and the sadness.
Beautiful. 3rd verse check the line "the butterfly will be you (r) friend"? 💛

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

Thank you for visiting and a lovely review!
Warmly, B
These words show a poet who knows that life is as full of sadness as it is of beauty. Perhaps that little one has learned too early in life that everything living needs loving care and awareness. In spite of the eventual tragedy, your words are a finely laid example of how death comes too easily to the most fragile.

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

Thank you dearest EM for a sincere,intuitive review
Warmly, B

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Added on February 4, 2024
Last Updated on February 4, 2024

Author

Betty Hermelee
Betty Hermelee

Black Mountain, NC



About
My love of poetry results from my love of art. As a painter I am able to express myself on a canvas. As a poet my words come from my heart, my moods, sometimes sad, mostly upbeat. I like to use vivid .. more..

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