Oh how I miss the butterflies

 

 

Oh how I miss the butterflies

 

Beyond the chipped paint and tarnished handle

of this old screen door once waited a garden,

a winding path of stone and dirt

I had walked many times in my life,

led to a place of wondrous beauty,

poetic blooms and intoxicating fragrances

 

Merely stepping beneath the Jasmine covered arbor

lifted spirits and illumined hope that all was right,

and the butterflies, oh the butterflies, winged effervescence in

sapphire, indigo, tangerine and lemon butter yellows

floated from flower to flower creating

the most wonderful dancing rainbow for the eye

 

I still smile when I hear those old rusted hinges squeak

and I feel that fresh air meet my face

For those memories linger in my mind,

as now I find the path overgrown, the arbor splintered and fallen

the vibrant garden a mass of weed and vine

strangling the beauty that once flourished

 

And I understand, life changes…slowly,

each of us deteriorate within time’s grasp,  returning

to where we began, covered in lawn and dew

beginning anew or to be forgotten…

an occasional thought that passes

down another path of another life

 

Now as I stand gazing at what once was,

a tear finds my cheek, meandering over these wrinkles

gathering in the corner of my mouth…salty,

yet it is not the garden nor the whimsical path

that collects in my mind…it is the butterflies,

oh how I miss the butterflies…

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Tears are flowing down my cheeks now, Jack.....for I, too, miss the butterflies....the ones that my Daddy would tell me would land on my finger if I stood really still....and he was right. The ones that flew in and out of the roses in my Mom's garden. The ones that colored my world with such gorgeous hues. Your poem brought it all back....I could almost feel the butterfly wings. Yes, life does change slowly, but it continues to change and we can do nothing to stop that. We can, though, remember the butterflies, my friend. Your poem is a masterpiece. Lydi**

[Jack...]

Lydi, you kind words today have brought a smile to my face it hasn't worn in some time. Thank you so very much my sweet friend. Thank you for everything.

[icelandicblue]

You are always able to create even colors anew:

winged effervescence in
sapphire, indigo, tangerine and lemon butter yellows
floated from flower to flower creating
the most wonderful dancing rainbow for the eye

This is breathtaking imagery.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Anne. New colors like Icelandicblue???? I appreciate you my friend.

[Frieda P]

The imagery here is beyond stunning Jack, a bittersweet read. I adore that second stanza and the finish, the sadness of miss'd butterflies nearly made me shed a tear...another heavy sigh moment from your pen.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much my friend. I was hoping you might find this poem. I can tell you this, I shed a tear of a different kind because of your review. Thank you again.

[Claire in VA]

This is a lovely yet sad write, Jack.
I enjoyed. I, too, miss the butterflies of yesteryear.
You need a badge for being
"The Master of Imagery."
~Claire

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much Claire. I would happily wear the badge proudly. I appreciate your kindness.

[David Scott]

My first thought when I read this title was missing the butterflies of young love...
As I read you poem I was thinking of many other times in my life when I felt butterflies.
Actually catching them in the fields as a child was one memory. I could feel the sun and see my freckled face beaming at the gentle beauty of these creatures.
Then I thought of the day my children were born and how the "butterflies" played games in my head and chest and stomach as my emotions twisted and turned in a joyful rollercoaster of excitement and gratitude, mixed in with a solemn sense of responsibility...
The butterfly moments remind us of our joys and of how fleeting life is. We are reminded we don't get many second chances at enjoying this particular butterfly moment.
You transformed my desk into a time machine this afternoon Jack.
I share a glistening eye with you.
Thank you for the inspired poetry.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend. I guess butterflies hold different meanings and memories for all of us...each time I do see a butterfly floating by in their erractic yet beautiful patterns it just sends my mind soaring along with them. Since coming here the butterfly has taken on an entirely new meaning for me...sometimes I smile and sometimes I don't, but always I am enchanted. And I wish we could return all butterflies to this planet that we have lost and missed. Thanks again my friend. I always enjoy when you stop by.

[David Scott]

I can only imagine your sense of loss Jack.
Yet you have this picture in your mind still...read moreI can only imagine your sense of loss Jack.
Yet you have this picture in your mind still...
You have a future hope of knowing this beauty even more perfectly fulfilled some day.
Yes, we all have our own butterflies we cherish deeply.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts here in poetic beauty.

[Madalyn Beck]

You are a painter with your words, Jack. This poem lived and breathed as I read it and made me miss the butterflies as well. Heartbreakingly beautiful. xo :)

[Jack...]

Madalyn, I appreciate the kindness you show to me always. Thank you my friend.

[Marie]

This is so sad...to see a garden bereft ot flowres and butterflies...

Sometimes it's the little bits of beauty we miss, not the majesty...

[Jack...]

Thanks Marie. I am happy you enjoyed this one.

[Constance Payne]

Truly Beautiful.....butterflies are such amazing creatures.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Constance. It is nice to see you again.

[Constance Payne]

Been busy and I let someone "review" almost destroy my thoughts about writing. It is funny how words from others can almost take our words from us....ah; but the wings of this butterfly are spreading and I look forward to writing once again.
:)

[Jack...]

Well just get out that pen and write...everyone's a critic you know...don't let them bother you.

[s y e]

Ah Jackomantic, this is truly beautiful... You we here love butterflies. The more good memories we have and keep with us will stick with us forever and be able to cheer us up when we need it. I absolutely adored this Jack, definitely my absolute favourite from you. I'm speechless.

[Jack...]

Sye, your sweet words have brought a smile to my face today. Thank you so very much for taking the time to read and review my poetry.

[kublakhan27]

Reading this piece, my emotions follow the exact same course as yours as you take us through this ill-fated nature walk. I smile in the aftermath of the feast of vivid colours and movements with which you evoke the ways of the butterflies. Then I'm taking to the overgrown path where all idyllic salvation is retracted and the traveler if left with nothing but weeds and vines...and the moment of clarity hits. Maybe this was a symbolic walk from childhood to adulthood. Either way I feel your emotions at work in my reading, and find myself relating at the end as I so often do. Lovely work Jack.

[Jack...]

Steve, I am always overjoyed when you visit my pages. Thank you for your kindness, I always appreciate you.