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The Smallest Butterfly
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The Smallest Butterfly |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven 
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She makes herself small to hide from what has become her life - a butterfly among the sons of Anak. Everything is so much bigger than she, and the fears that burn within become a wildfire spreading outward to ignite her withering effete wings and leave her flightless, hiding among the smoke and ash where she lies holding her breath. On braver days she rises up, only to discover the more she explores the smaller she gets, until she finds herself curled up, childlike, beneath the nearest friendly tree. I saw her sleeping in the rain with a limb near at hand, because she knows one day it will never stop. She waits for it to wash her away. She struggles daily to endure the countless insidious doubts that grab and pull at her quicksand life. The drudgery has stolen her passion and left her praying for strength to just breathe. Her stridulous scream finds no ear to jar. She uses companionship like cigarettes to fill the malignant moments, each one leaving her more addicted, more breathless, and more powerless than the last. The harshest years have proven impossible for her to reconcile. I once heard her say an abhorrent past sets in place an unhopeful future. In time maybe she will decide her tomorrows are best decided by what she wants, not what she has already seen. My greatest fear is of her finding she might more easily stop the rain [This message has been edited by Jamie (02-21-2003 09:08 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Jamie Patterson - All Rights Reserved | |||
bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
I love how claustrophic and hopeless this poem feels, with words as light as bread. Check the spelling -- voting. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
She uses companionship like cigarettes This is definately a stunning poem m'friend and I absolutely love the line above. This most certainly belongs in the book. Voting. Mee Mee  |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I was hoping youd come in and submit something. A perfect choice to reflect your unique style of writing in the book Well done poet sir. "Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky ... |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  (sad sigh) Oh Jamie, this is so very heartaching, sweet friend, my prayers are with her and many others who feel hopeless in situations like these and I an only hope these butterflies can open from the concrete cocoons and embrace the wind for hope! (big hugggsssss) This is a marvelous choice, sweet friend, yay, you have my vote, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Jamie, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
ah glad to see you here Jamie.....enjoyed the read as always Charisma |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Great write Jamie, glad I caught it! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Jamie...I loved this when I read it originally, and still do. It is a portrait done with compassion and love. Most worthy of a vote. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
This is a very good book submission...  "Love makes the world go around" |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
So good to see you again Jamie! This is one for the book for sure! ~Hugs~ ~ Trace my body with your words.. |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
what Mikey said... |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
You saved yourself a good talking to! I was getting ready to take you to task for not submitting. Thank you!  |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
K |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
"On braver days she rises up, only to discover the more she explores the smaller she gets, until she finds herself curled up, childlike," you have it described perfectly M |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
Thanks so much. Many of you know this from the open 18, so are aware of how it is special to me. zactly what kind of task did you have in mind Sharon?  There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar. |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
"She uses companionship like cigarettes to fill the malignant moments, each one leaving her more addicted, more breathless, and more powerless than the last." I can remember a time feeling like this....  |
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Chanson Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559Up Creek w/Out Paddle |
There are some might fine images here. "..and the fears that burn within become a wildfire spreading outward to ignite her..." "...the smaller she gets, until she finds herself curled up, childlike,..." "...Her stridulous scream finds no ear to jar..." Yes, vivid images. I like this very much, Jamie. |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
What wonderful imagery here.....I miss a lot by not being here very much. I'll have to go play in the archives.....and find what other treasures you've written. Bridgette |
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aries_luv_ppl Senior Member
since 2001-09-20
Posts 1448Universal Mind |
this is wonderful, but would be much more wonderful if the metaphor carried through the entire poem. But I voted for it. Nice job in describing. ~Every girl has a dream within. |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Jamie~ This is excellent...I love it. Great choice for book submission. "...until you have read the verse on his heart, |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
What is left to say, about time? LOL, great submission Jamie. |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Thank you Jamie - for choosing this one...  K[This message has been edited by Severn (02-22-2003 05:39 PM).] |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Great work, my friend... and a good choice... regards, sudhir |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Another good choice for Reflections...thank you Jamie! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
A fireman with the soul of a poet! Simply beautiful! Warm morning hugs, EA |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Just needed to read this again. She's a beauty Jamie. Maree |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
Thanks again everyone. ...and you're welcome tigger JThere is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
"She might more easily stop the rain..." Excellent, Jamie... |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent indeed, Jaime! A must for the book! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Jamie...this makes a powerful statement |
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Lighthousebob Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725California |
The imagery of the woman that you characterize here in your poem is most heart wrenching in its reality and its appeal. Excellent writing!!! -Bob |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Got my vote, loved it. Titia |
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aries_luv_ppl Senior Member
since 2001-09-20
Posts 1448Universal Mind |
enjoyed ~Every girl has a dream within. |
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AnonomousHippie Junior Member
since 2003-02-21
Posts 10 |
i would love to read this again. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Yes, this is a special poem. Your descriptions are wonderful Another vote and I'm off to bed Liz |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Jamie - and a special one it is, my vote for this... BC |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Jaime~ Softly stunning~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I once heard her say an abhorrent past sets in place an unhopeful future. In time maybe she will decide her tomorrows are best decided by what she wants, not what she has already seen. Oh, Lordie... what a powerful punch this packs! Excellent work! |
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