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Open Poetry #3
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California

0 posted 1999-10-03 04:29 PM


The Question

Where do butterflies go
when they die

I never see them in fall
adding their color to leaves
or drifting from a branch
caught by the wind

I saw a goldfish
belly up and bloated
that fell apart like the lily
and was gone

You never see them lying
still and lifeless
on the ground

The cat in her shallow grave
turns to bone
and I saw the tiny
skeleton of a field-mouse once

Do they fly into the sun
Are they the specks I see
in the sunbeam
across my room

Do they build themselves
a death nest
high in a tree
where I cannot see

I had a collection of
butterflies once
I caught them in a net
and killed them with
insect spray
Pinned them very carefully
to an old cigar box
and left them in the attic

Some time later
I went to look at them
and they were gone
No remnant of antenna remained
only a fine layer of dust
and ten pins

© Copyright 1999 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

1 posted 1999-10-03 04:32 PM


Very nice, Martie! And good question!

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Denise

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

2 posted 1999-10-16 09:31 PM


I think this deserves another go 'round!


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Denise

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
3 posted 1999-10-17 12:53 PM


Butterflies fly up to the sky and become parts of a rainbow!

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 1999-10-22 10:11 PM


Well, now there's a wonderful thought! I like that one PdV! Great answer to a great poem!

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Denise

Ohme
Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816
Texas
5 posted 1999-10-22 10:26 PM



Oh, so glad this one came back. I would have missed it. Go up again

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 1999-10-22 10:35 PM


PDV (I hope I can call you that, Denise did.) I should have remembered the rainbow.

Denise, thanks for the roller coaster ride, I like it.

thanks for your comments Ohme.

Watcher666
Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606

7 posted 1999-10-23 04:19 AM


Well done and thoughtful.

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Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you.

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