The Butterfly Lullaby

My wings are dry beneath the sun,

And life for me has just begun.

A butterfly in a secret trance,

Looking for the chance to dance.

I fly high between the trees,

Avoiding wasps and probing bees

When suddenly I spy a brief

Flickering by a coloured leaf

It’s enough for me to recognise,

Another butterfly in disguise

Has emerged in this summer haze,

To be with me these lazy days.

 Her colours dazzle in their pink and white,

And as she glides in the pale noon light,

Her wonderful wide wings mesmerise,

Her eyes are stars, and I am hypnotised.

She glows as she flies close to my side.

Beautiful she is in our dazzling sky.

Where a thousand butterflies would long to be

But she was meant to dance with me.

We twist circles in the air,

Turning and curling without a care

But now a wild wind hurries past

And we must part and ease our dance.

Dark clouds force me between the trees,

And I see you fade disguised by leaves.

My wings flutter and drift out of sight,

Beyond our tiny world of light.

I must flee from the coming rain,

Desperate to see you once again,

My life is short and will not last.

My summer days will soon have passed.

I wish I could believe it’s true,

When suddenly I catch sight of you,

Twinkling in a far-off light

Waving to me as you take flight. 

If only petals blown by the wind,

Would carry me back to touch your wings,

So, that in the few hours left to me,

Your embrace would set me free.

But it’s too late as my colours fade,

And I gently fall and look for shade.

My days are nearly over, and here I will,

Rest in silence until my wings are still. 

Sun and cloud have passed me by

But I’m not sorry as I sigh and smile.

The fleeting meeting with that butterfly

Was enough to make my life worthwhile.