the monarch

POSTED IN contemporary poetry September 3, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the monarch

You rest upon my hand
a monarch butterfly
gently flexing your wings
such fragile beauty
perfectly designed

 

you wait
for that precise moment
a gentle zephyr
a sun warmed kiss
a call from  the universe

 

I scarcely breathe
my eyes fixed upon you
longing to keep you forever

 

love catches in my throat

but you are not mine
and never were

In this brief time together
we taught each other
love
beauty and truth

 

Now
I must let you go
trust
that one day
you will return

 

Yet while you still remain
the merest touch upon my skin
you have my whole attention
I dare not breathe or blink an eye
lest you disappear

and I realise with great sorrow

 

I have not had time
to say goodbye.

 

 

 

 

Amanda Edwards