Like a Drunken Butterfly

~ odd things happen during the Santa Ana winds ~

“It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch” Raymond Chandler

 

A blistering summer afternoon

 scented of peaches,

                 plump with fragrance,

sweetening the yesterday’s sweeping the shores of my eyelids…

The day should be ripe with possibilities

 

So, why do I feel anxious…misplaced…perhaps a bit “out of sorts”?

 

The glittering sun shares a wink, as if he holds the secret

but surely the wind must know,

this dry, hot wind, born in the desert

breathing through a pastel sky

as restless as the unspoken words

playing hide and seek with the hillflowers,

                   withering in the July heat…

 

And stronger still

as the trees moan and the howl rises

teasing my hair, tickling my cheek,

rustling my wings…

                  and at once I’m spinning

 as uncontrolled as the zephyr

 twirling, twisting

 wild,

                                 feral, untamed

                                and unable to focus

                  yet content in my vertigo

flying towards the unknown

like a drunken butterfly heading to its next fermented flower

 

Yes, let the summer air set me free…

for beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting a little lost

Author's Note

art ~ Lauri Blank
poetry ~ MsJewel

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Julie... a butterfly out of control... high on the scent of peach snappes... the day ripe with possibillities. I have been in a peach orchard ... where heaven was in the air with rustling wings... wild and untamed.. flying to my next fermented flower. A breathless poem that settled in my heart.
truly, Pat

[MsJewel]

Your lovely comments always leave me with a smile :) Julie

[Re-Pete]

a delightful buffet of wording & imagery to feast upon. "plump with fragrance". so lovely. i like how you set the stage as it winds and then end philosophically. i could sense a bit of mystery building as i read. indeed, we wander different paths but there is always beauty along the way. very uplifting message. delicate & wonderful like the butterfly. great pic adds. an all around terrific write. you always do such a nice job. thank you for sharing

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your lovely comment I appreciate it very much :) Julie

[apennylate]

Gorgeous slant leaves me wanting more as I pant... Or maybe the sound of wishing is merely the beat of butterfly wings granting me an answer to the question I seek... Maybe I should get lost... Grogeouslly penned... Like always...

[MsJewel]

Thanks so much! :) Julie

[apennylate]

Most welcome

[Einstein Noodle]

whoa! ...head rush!! oh yeh!! ;) I have been to California more than once ...but have seemed to miss out on those kissing hair curling winds ...love your drunkin' butterfly ... and i really appreciate the protagonist being off center ..and having the experience of your poem from that perspective ..so very fresh and real ..nice job Ms. J! well done indeed
E.

[MsJewel]

You need to visit in the late summer, early fall or "Indian summer". The Santa Ana's blow wild during those months! :) Julie

[Einstein Noodle]

into my bucket list along with my Long ride on my HD :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing poem dear friend.
"and at once I’m spinning
as uncontrolled as the zephyr
twirling, twisting
wild,
feral, untamed
and unable to focus
and at once I’m spinning as uncontrolled as the zephyr twirling, twisting wild, feral, untamed and unable to focus"
I love the above lines. I could feel the words. Thank you Julie for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your lovely comment. I'm thrilled you enjoyed this - :) Julie

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy dear Julie and you are welcome.

[Jon Roggie]

The last line sums it up for me.
Lovely.

[MsJewel]

Thank you Jon :) Julie

[onceloved]

I really do admire those can write poetry in many different ways it is a language of ones heart and soul. A whisper of who they are emotions kept inside of them a sharing of ones self with others with their pen you have a beautiful way of doing that Julie. :) A Fan

[MsJewel]

Thanks for your lovely comment Larry. :) Julie

[Ethan]

Awesome job, wow. I'm impressed. This was excellently written, and I admire the amount of control you possess when you write. Nicely done.

[MsJewel]

Wow. I'm humbled by your amazing review. Thank you Ethan :) Julie

[B-poet]

A beautiful and nostalgic poem about how peculiar those Santa Ana winds can truly be. Nice work, Julie. A well written poem of personal visualization. :)

[MsJewel]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate you . :) Julie

[Dr. YumnaKay]

"beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting a little lost"
Aye, so true. Love the line 'like a drunken butterfly...'
This is rich in imagery. Maybe we all feel out of sorts sometimes, maybe it's the summer effect...
Lovely write.

[MsJewel]

I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Thanks so much :) Julie

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You're welcome. A pleasure always :)

[Lydia Shutter]

"beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting a little lost" Brilliant line...and so very true. Everyone needs to roam off the beaten path in life....have an adventure. You know the fact a butterfly is in the title drew me to this one. Wonderful work, Julie. You created a mood that is downright intoxicating. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

Yes, I remember butterflies have special meaning to you. Thanks so much for your kind words Lydi. I hope you had a fantastic 4th. :) Julie