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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2000-02-02 06:32 AM


You Cannot Catch a Butterfly

A butterfly is ecstasy
A colorful and fleeting dream
But never quiet long enough
To full consume the beauty seen

It well could light upon your hand
And yet you may not touch it's wing
It softly brushes with a kiss
And makes your heart with pleasure sing

Do not succumb to its allure
Embrace it only with your eye
Captivity would be its death
You cannot catch a butterfly

So let it flutter in the wind
But do not hold it in your grasp
For bliss is like a butterfly
Enjoy its splendor while it lasts

Elizabeth Santos


[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-02-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 2000-02-02 06:59 AM


Lizzy - this speaks to my heart this one - and so well written as always.

Do not succumb to its allure
Embrace it only with your eye
Captivity would be its death
You cannot catch a butterfly

Lovely, my friend!!

K



 'Writing sharpens life;
life enriches writing'
Sylvia Plath

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 2000-02-02 07:13 AM


This winsome little butterfly
came fluttering by
caught my eye
captured my heart

*Elizabeth, what delight.


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


tori
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 520
Mechanicsville, Maryland, USA
3 posted 2000-02-02 08:57 AM


Elizabeth what a wonderful way you have discibed life here... Your verse will be thought of each day now that my little butterfly has gone to spread his wings...
Thank you!

 If with pen in hand I've made you think
I've not wasted one drop of ink
Vlh.
visit my site~ http://www.hsanet.net/user/dkm/hellomy.htm

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

4 posted 2000-02-02 09:44 AM


As beautiful and delicate as a butterfly!  
Very lovely, Elizabeth!
Denise

fc
Member
since 2000-01-18
Posts 130

5 posted 2000-02-02 09:55 AM


love this, have always loved butterflies and I love the way you captured its essence...
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
6 posted 2000-02-02 10:01 AM


Elizabeth,
Simply exquisite, No other words. Love Sy

mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind
7 posted 2000-02-02 10:58 AM


Ahh... this brings me back to childhood memories~

Butterflies and I, in the fields, dancing~

Thank you Liz~

Your poem was beautiful~
Marie~


 "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind." The Bard


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
8 posted 2000-02-02 11:28 AM


One can only wish on a butterfly's wings
that it alight on one's heart to hear it sing,
for Lizbeth has caught a butterfly's dream,
that they ARE magic; they are what they seem.

Well done, Elizabeth.


 Sunshine
Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
9 posted 2000-02-02 11:33 AM


Liz, butterfly's are magical. I still love watching them, holding as still as possible! My kids think I'm wierd.......Beautiful poem! -SEA
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
10 posted 2000-02-02 11:41 AM


Your responses to this poem are so lovely and I appreciate all of them. Just now I don't have time to answer each individually. But I want to explain that this poem is not about a butterfly. It's about bliss.
So if you see this, read the poem again with this in mind.
Thank you all so very much
Liz

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
11 posted 2000-02-02 03:52 PM


So wise, so true, so beautiful.
mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind
12 posted 2000-02-02 05:59 PM


Liz~

I realized it wasn't about butterflies~
I made the connection   ~
My memory of childhood was blissful~

Marie~

spiked
Senior Member
since 2000-01-13
Posts 873
Hammond, La USA
13 posted 2000-02-03 11:07 AM


This poem speaks volumes.
Could not have said it better. and didn't
Thanks

Rich

Justbleu
Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)
14 posted 2000-02-03 11:37 AM


Wow Liz...I loved this!!  One of my nicknames is Butterfly!!  This poem describes me sooo much!!  Sometimes I wish it didn't!!  People in my life never seem to be able to keep me for long...it's sad but true!!  Someday I hope this butterfly stays forever caught!!  

Take Care
Bridgette


 Creation of woman from the rib of Man: She was not made from his head to top him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him; but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
15 posted 2000-02-03 11:54 AM


Beautiful....snowflakes and butterflies...both something that needs to be viewed not caught.  
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
16 posted 2000-02-03 03:37 PM


Martie, So kind!

Marie, Thank you for understanding my poem

Spiked, Nice response, Thanks

Bridgette, Thank you, Butterfly

Hoot, So beautiful, So elusive

Liz

tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
17 posted 2000-02-03 07:53 PM


Elizabeth, what a beautiful poem I agree with everyone. The title caught my eye and the read was just perfect. Tracie  
Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
18 posted 2000-02-04 08:56 PM


A well written poem and as elusive as a butterfly!
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
19 posted 2000-02-04 10:01 PM


So well done, great one! There are so many wonderful things in life that cannot be captured or held too tightly. Too bad some people cannot understand that  
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
20 posted 2000-02-04 10:58 PM


Liz this is great! I can only echo the above!
So much truth in what you've written.

 <*\\\><

When you can't make up your mind
Which way is right for you,
Stop and softly ask yourself,
What Would Jesus Do?

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
21 posted 2000-02-05 01:21 AM


Tracie, Gemini, Balladeer, and whtDove,
I appreciate all of your comments on this little poem. It is true, there are somet hings you cannot hold onto, but just savor while they are with you.
Thank you all
Liz

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