Butterflies in November

in the cool air of morning
the sun just up
not yet warm
i watch
with glassy eyes
as the butterfly wrestles free
of her chrysalis

helpless
the watcher
while wings stretch and dry
careful not to break
such a fragile embrace
unsure what step will lead where

long has been its
transformation
slow growth speeding
toward open sky
i watch
teary eyed
as wings spread

she is gone
into bright november breezes
all that remains
the chrysalis


dragoneyes