Butterfly and Flower

1 

Butterfly loves Flower; Flower doesn’t love back.

B: They say be like the flower is:

aloof… but I need the sweetness 

over and over.

I can’t stay away 

or stop the sipping.
I am never full.

F: I cannot be the butterfly 

who insatiably worships.

I open. I give.

That’s enough for me. 

Drained, I fade inward,

notice the fullness.

2 

Butterfly is fed; Flower is fertilized.

B: In the night I cling to tree bark,

dreaming of colors, 

sugar on my tongue

over and over.

Dreams are not enough 

and I am empty. 

F: In the night, I close. It’s peaceful.

I think I’ll not open again 

to make sweet pretense

for needy tongues.

I fill myself up

and I am changing. 

© Laura Seale, 2016

Monarch butterfly with Milkweed
Photo by Tony Russell