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Open Poetry #36
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Martie
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0 posted 2005-09-05 03:44 PM


I’ve wondered since I was a child
Where butterflies go when they die
Thinking someplace of peace not wild
Softly floating in the whim
Of a breeze not tearing leaf or wing

The old cigar box where I kept a collection
When I was nine with pin and wing in place
A callus lack I can’t believe was me
Closed that box and left it in the attic free

Until I returned up ladder to the loft
Afraid of what I’d find or what the cost
to find ten pins gathering dust in gleam
No fragrance of spring or wing remained

And then today as if in answer to my question
Long ago asked to some one up in heaven
Where have they gone all color muted frail
when I had placed them so carefully in this cardboard jail

Today

On the front steps of a house in different town
A wing and then another had fallen down
No body held together the colors mighty chorus
But it seems like they were sent this day
with a definite purpose

The question asked so long ago must finally be
That given time an answer comes eventually

I’m saving them the wings like time
With feathers I have many now
Perhaps to test the strength of fragile things
Or more certainly to bless this heart of mine

[This message has been edited by Martie (09-06-2005 07:43 PM).]

© Copyright 2005 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Midnitesun
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Gaia
1 posted 2005-09-05 03:57 PM


oh Martie, this is exquisite!
as gentle as a buttterfly's wing,
it lands upon this blue screen with a promise of answers

Bodger
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since 2005-06-12
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Tolerance for a short time
2 posted 2005-09-05 04:31 PM


Yes is my only comment

Bodger

Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
3 posted 2005-09-05 04:35 PM


Blessed, in so many ways, dearheart...

Believe...on...

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
4 posted 2005-09-05 05:55 PM


Time does carry answers on fragile wings, and you make me understand the tenderness of that in this write.

Hugs,
TD

icebox
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in the shadows
5 posted 2005-09-05 06:01 PM


It simply is true that butterflies are free.
passing shadows
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displaced
6 posted 2005-09-05 06:51 PM


oh I loved that ending!
Martie
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7 posted 2005-09-05 07:45 PM


Thank you for your replies.  I guess you can tell how delighted I was when this happened.  Hugs all!!
Dark Angel
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since 1999-08-04
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8 posted 2005-09-05 10:15 PM


Truly this is a delightful thing to have happen..wow Martie.

A very beautiful and touching write..as always from you

Mxx

~i want for myself your trembling~

Enchantress
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Canada eh.
9 posted 2005-09-05 10:28 PM


Simply enchanting Martie..
very much enjoyed!!!
Hugs~Nancy

Something tugs at me, I've no doubt of that.
Something from the sea, whichever one I'm near.
When I stray too far from beachland, it calls me back

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
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USA
10 posted 2005-09-06 01:31 AM


"I’m saving them the wings like time
With feathers I have many now
Perhaps to test the strength of fragile things
Or more certainly to bless this heart of mine"

There's something magical about butterflies...and, in this case, your gentle write, Martie.  I was made to think of an occurrence when we lived overseas...my son, about 3 at the time, was out in our back courtyard.  A butterfly lite down on his check and stayed there for the longest time.  It actually kind of frightened him but it did no harm.  Made me wonder....do butterflys think some people are flowers?  Did he smell sweet?  Anyway....it just made me wonder.  When I was a kid, I just remember how sad it made me when I realized what a short life butterflies had....but when you think of it, they accomplish so much in that time!   .....jo



[This message has been edited by iliana (09-06-2005 12:18 PM).]

Greeneyes
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In Your Poetic Mind
11 posted 2005-09-06 01:51 AM


this is so so touching Martie....I love how your thoughts flow through out this...


Honeybunch
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South Africa
12 posted 2005-09-06 06:02 AM


Beautiful, Martie, and most certainly to bless your heart which, if not tender, wouldn't have seen and remembered.  
LeeJ
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since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

13 posted 2005-09-06 09:57 AM


and the blessings you reap, turn to circle us through your poetry, many many thanks dear lady, for you songs....
It's good to see ya hun...love, Lee J.

suthern
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Louisiana
14 posted 2005-09-06 10:00 AM


Yours isn't the only heart blessed. *S* This is just lovely! *S*
Goodknight
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15 posted 2005-09-06 05:21 PM


lovely poem Martie - glad your question feels answered - Paul
Ratleader
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16 posted 2005-09-07 09:16 AM


Just open your eyes,
And realize, the way it's always been.
Just open your mind
And you will find
The way it's always been.
Just open your heart.....

The Moody Blues
"A Question Of Balance"


Balance is almost as hard to find as belief -- and it's something you've always had. I think the key for each is in that line...just open your heart....when the heart's open, the eyes and mind must follow, and a more open-hearted person than you, I've never known.

This poem's proof of that, because again you've found the answers to the most telling questions, in the simplest things.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Janet Marie
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since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

17 posted 2005-09-07 09:25 AM


On the front steps of a house in different town
A wing and then another had fallen down
No body held together the colors mighty chorus
But it seems like they were sent this day
with a definite purpose

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

as you already know, i have found many answers and "definite purpose" upon the wings of butterflies...and so you will already just know how beautiful I find this write and the moment of its inspire...there is magic in the flutterings of the "traces left behind"



miscellanea
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since 2004-06-24
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OH
18 posted 2005-09-07 06:25 PM


Lovely and thought provoking.  How we sometimes study the things we love so closely that ...   I found your poem absolutely stunning.

              miscellanea

Marge Tindal
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19 posted 2006-04-30 07:33 PM


MartieSis~
There is such an abundance of love in you to be 'word-shared' for many Springs to come~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -     noles1@totcon.com     

Kristabell
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since 2003-11-29
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Portland, OR
20 posted 2006-06-21 11:24 PM


Indeed. Beautiful post.
OwlSA
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since 2005-11-07
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Durban, South Africa
21 posted 2006-07-13 07:39 PM


Like you and your poem, butterflies are simultaneously, fragile, strong, enduring, beautiful and very, very special.  

And yes, there are always answers, if we wait long enough and look hard enough and believe strongly enough . . .

I LOVE the new photo.  You always look so natural in photo's and, like butterflies, you, Martie-flower, belong in a garden.

- Owl

OwlSA
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since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
22 posted 2006-07-13 07:45 PM


Oh, and I meant to say, iliana, that I believe that the butterfly didn't think your son was a flower.  I believe that it knew his cheek was a safe place to land and that it bonded with your son, the way cats and dogs and a duck bonded with my late horse, Flicka.

- Owl

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