// elegy for a butterfly //

elegy for a butterfly

pretty butterfly with sun-kissed wings

dances with the wind in summers wild fling

tipsy on the suns golden wine

flutters to a twisted vine

and there alights, to hang and sway

intoxicated by the day

as her head begins to clear

she spies a flower, blooming near

she tiptoes nearer, takes a sip

and as the nectar wets her lips

the flower whispers, with a sigh

'you little know how your time will fly,

on your wings of vibrant hue

to your end, so swift go you.'

the butterfly, with dainty scorn

laughed at the words the flower bore

'i'm but new-born, with my bright wings,

it's not time yet for such dark things!'

and with these words, again arose

to search out a more cheerful rose

the drooping flowered sighed once more,

knowing too well what was in store

the day went by, and then the night

the butterfly soaring like a kite

the days turned into weeks, and soon

the butterfly was tired by noon

she couldn't seem to understand

why her wings let her down to land

despite her tries to stay aloft

she collapsed onto a tendril soft

her heart was pounding in her chest

she thought she needed but a rest

but as the moments passed her by

her fading strength her mind defied

she remembered then, the flowers words

and the warning that she hadn't heard

she sank lower, her tiny frame

bowed in painful, graceful shame

she thought back to the wild days

of pleasure free, until today

she saw where her thoughtless life had led

as darkness seeped into her head

memories of brightness passed

as with a sigh she breathed her last.

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