Butterflies

it will be a
long and lonely
life without love
how many nights
can i pass
staring at the ceiling
whispering mantras
to the walls
who am i
trying to convince
of my worthiness
sitting unaccompanied
in this room

the wind was blowing today
i could feel its
power and purpose
as i sat stagnant
and bereft of
a prospect

it has been
so long
i fear that
it will never come

i have been
tempted and teased
it's been dangled
in front of me
fluttering bright
like a newly hatched
butterfly
but it is a hard time
chasing butterflies
when finally enclosing
them in your hand
you have to keep
checking to make
sure they're not crushed
while keeping them from
flying away

and nobody wants
to cage a
butterfly
it dulls their beauty
and mutes their colors
best to let them go
and try not to
miss them
too much

- May 2006