When The Bough Breaks

my garden gifts me, unwanted
on a grey summer day

grief a blue butterfly
whose fragile frame is broken

i am crushed for wings that will not fly
on the warmth of a golden slumber

or settle on the overhanging spikes
of sweet scented buddleia

i turn to nature to soothe my mind
to find answers where there are none

this is not about me nor you
it is about she who rocks the cradle

for she is unable to grow strength
to slay the everyday of her nemesis.

Reviews

[Stuart Munro]

I wrote a poem and song called a Butterfly is rescued , I worked at the national trust , a butterfly was trapped by a window , I put a drinking glass over it , and rescued it , and set it free , I’d captured its beauty , and for how ever long it lived , after , some human would enjoy his or her view of that butterfly
Your poem ,your butterfly is not so lucky , it’s beauty of its prime will not be shared , sadly ,

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stuart for that lovely share of how you saved the butterfly. How wonderful to have worked for the national trust. It is a beautiful mourning. Make sure you enjoy it. All the best.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

Thanks Chris , Pleased you enjoyed my poem song and I enjoyed your poem ,Good news I saw a. Hospital consultant this morning , and my 7 tumours have all shrunk by half , carrying on with chemo
Have a Great Day

[Chris Shaw]

That is great news Stuart. Yes, carry on with the poison. It is working. Just look at how I’ve spelled morning. Excuse my earlier errors. Thank you, the day is good so far.

[Stuart Munro]

Thanks Chris , haveca Great day

[Stuart Munro]

Morning Chris , Thursday , I spelt have wrong , its easily done , typing on here , have a great day ,

[AYVID N]

A poem that rings deep chords in me. I loved the beautiful possibilities just if the butterfly had lived. The imagery is wonderful and makes me think of how great is the gift of life and yet nature can be so cruel with no thought of the weak or the powerful. She certainly rocks the cradle till death snatches away that power from her. She is speechless before death indeed. Meanwhile, the heart hurts whenever we pass by the remains of fellow creatures who were once so alive and animated. I have recently lost a dear budgie to night fright and the lifeless butterfly in this poem reminds me of her and of a lifeless kitten I came across recently who was mauled to death by the stray dogs. All we can is pray for them and move on....

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks DIVYA for your beautiful review. Sorry you have lost your budgie and like you, that lifeless kitten would have touched my heartstrings with sadness. Our pets are family. We grieve them. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Chris

[willweb]

Nature can certainly soothe but nature as well can remind us of something we'd just as soon forget or at least move to the back of out mind. A garden can be many things, it can be healing but it can also be frightening, depending on how you see it and on a somber day, the petals and the wings just somehow don't seem as vivid. Nicely done Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

An old poem will out for an airing. Your fine words always very much appreciated. A big thank you.read moreAn old poem will out for an airing. Your fine words always very much appreciated. A big thank you.

Chris

[Pete]

a pensive, cloudy summer day can leave us feeling vulnerable. that sad, blue butterfly will fly again with an influx of good, positive thoughts, perhaps when the sun shines again and that garden drinks it in as well. when or if the branch breaks a different matter. does no good to worry about things that may not happen. grey days have their purpose too ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Pete. An old poem out for a summer airing. Your words appreciated.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

The death of something so fragile can stand for so many things. Butterflies are helpless. They cannot fight back. I like how you expressed the way this makes you feel. I only have one tiny correction. It should be "she who rocks the cradle." Normally grammar isn't all that important in poetry, but in that particular line it stands out. If you want to leave it as her, I politely suggest making a distinction, such as 'this is about her, the one who rocks the cradle." It's just a suggestion, and not a criticism. If you are happy with the poem the way it is, by all means ignore this!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Zoe and for your suggestions on edits. Gratefully received. I appreciate your thoughts. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

a grey summer day does not feel good to me; it reflects a certain mood forthcoming. your spirit is broken just like the blue butterfly. Even nature does not calm you, comfort you; it's not about us, but about about someone close to you who is dying or has passed. There is much grief and sadness in this poem. I know you love nature and if that can't console you, then you need to let out all dark emotions, and they will pass.
Heartfelt piece Chris.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your insights here Betty. Your visits always appreciated as you know. Have a wonderful weekend dear poet.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

I like what's inside.


I can tell what you have to offer.

By all means, ask the difference.

Doll face

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the read.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

I'm guessing this is about Mother Nature. Nature is a refuge, isn't it.

[Chris Shaw]

Nature is indeed a refuge Shelley. Thanks for your visit. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

All is good with me. Hope the same for you.

[Vertigo Cat1111]

Deeply beautiful and really makes you reflect. It’s full of melancholy and wonder and the sadness and helplessness you feel when another loving creature, tinker and weaker than you is crushed or sent to its death far too soon. There’s a slight darkness to this poem that I loved and really fit super well into the lightness of nature. It adds on to the beauty of the poem that the butterfly happened to pass in a garden, at least somewhere comforting. Thank you for sharing!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Colacat and for noticing the darkness. I appreciate you checking in to leave me this thoughtful review. Many good wishes from me to you.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

A blue butterfly dies in a beautiful garden and is grieved and remembered by a caring soul.
And the Question that goes unanswered is Why?
Of the 5 W’s, Why? is the one that confounds us most! I think because we humans have the power to think, we need and want answers to everything. Not knowing sparks our curiosity and drives imagination, and these are good things. But not knowing can also stifle us, make us dull and lazy as we surrender to default Answers like, "He works in mysterious ways."
For my money, God does not exist and therefore is not the Answer.
I "think" the answer lies in my first line, somewhere in that beautiful garden, and in a child’s smile, and in countless other places :) I don’t know what the Answer is, but it inspires me to keep Searching ...and maybe, just maybe, that’s the Answer.
Thanks for this, Chris :))

[Chris Shaw]

Thank YOU Dylan. Really like the thoughts you shared here after reading this older poem out for a breath of fresh air. Appreciate you stopping by abd hope your Tuesday has been a good one.

Chris