by

To Butterflies

image: Pixabay

My brother’s death-day is today, so the Independence Day holiday is always a little skewed for our family. After he was killed, I started seeing Monarch butterflies everywhere. This poem is for him.

 

To Butterflies

The harsh rend of my regrets

torn into paper shards

flutter into your scooped out hole

where heated scents of pine linger

on the cusp of summer’s silhouette

edging the cemetery’s newest stone.

 

I lay beneath the blue blossoms

white roots dangling like lace

over your tattered wishes.

I would bury my yearning

in the dark and fecund loam

soak it with my tears.

 

Death holds us lightly

life persisting with unfettered intensity

in spite of mourning

your Forget Me Nots flourish

blue petals transformed though we both will stray

to butterflies

take wing and soar.

**

I wish all my American friends a wonderful July 4th celebration. Wherever you are in the world, enjoy your families and friends and hold them tight. ❤

181 thoughts on “To Butterflies”

  1. WittyAyJ says:
    August 20, 2017 at 10:20 pm

    thats so beautiful in words.. I wonder one can write such a gorgeous poetry when it comes from inside the soul or in memory of someone. And the resemblence in butterfly was also quite thoughtful of you !!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. reocochran says:
    August 8, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    I actually did read this but had to close it, it was my week of vacation from June 30 to July 7th. I have such a close love and friendship with my brothers. This poem brought me to tears.
    Your poem was a beautiful, poignant tribute. I love that butterflies are like little angels and sweet messages from above or sent directly from your brother.
    Randy has quadruple bypass surgery at age 50. I sat next to him as he slept, he in one Lazy boy while I was in another. Upright and ready to help, once he was at home. He made it to 60, this year. I am very sad at the loss of your dear brother, Diana.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 8, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Our siblings are supposed to be the longest relationships of our lives, Robin, and the people who know us during every stage of our growth – long histories together. I’m so glad you’re close to your brothers. What treasures they are. My surviving brother and I are quite close and I’m hoping for many more years. 🙂 Thanks for your beautiful and heartfelt comment. ❤

      Like

  3. I write therefore I am alive. says:
    August 4, 2017 at 5:16 am

    Beautiful imagery 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  4. janeybgood says:
    July 17, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    This is really beautiful ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

  5. mycountryepoque says:
    July 17, 2017 at 6:05 am

    I love the picture and the words are great. I would do same if I had lost a brother, I would always be writing about him.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Grace says:
    July 13, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Very beautiful poem. 😍😍😍😍

    Liked by 1 person

  7. TheFeatheredSleep says:
    July 12, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    ♡

    Liked by 1 person

  8. The Forest Dweller says:
    July 11, 2017 at 4:37 am

    Beautiful, I know loss, my simphathy.💐

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Rowing Through Life says:
    July 10, 2017 at 10:22 am

    What a truly beautiful and heartfelt poem, thank you for sharing this memory with us ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 10, 2017 at 10:37 am

      Thanks so much for the visit. I had another day engulfed in butterflies. 🙂 I haven’t seen any new posts on your site – (I do stop by to visit). I hope life is just too fun to sit in front of a screen! ❤

      Like

  10. Erik says:
    July 8, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    Beautiful word pictures, Diana. A lovely flower blooming from hard soil.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Marcia Strykowski says:
    July 8, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Such a beautiful poem and nice tribute to your brother. I’m so sorry he wasn’t with you longer.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 8, 2017 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you for the lovely comment, Marcia. He died 14 years ago, so I’m doing well. I still have visits from the monarchs every year and this year was no exception. ❤

      Like

  12. clintnixwood says:
    July 8, 2017 at 9:38 am

    A nice coincidence: I was walking in the street on this day, and saw a beautiful pale-yellow butterfly and snapped a picture. Of course, species have slightly different features in Ukraine from what I am used to, so I was quite taken by the “unusual” beauty.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Sophie @ Blame Chocolate says:
    July 8, 2017 at 5:16 am

    This was really beautiful 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Christy B says:
    July 7, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Diana, this is a beautiful tribute to your brother. I’ll think of the writing the next time I see a butterfly xx

    Like

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 14, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks for the lovely comment. ❤ I was on the beach that day and saw dozens of monarchs. A peaceful day.
      BTW, this reply is late because I just found your comment in spam – 2 for you this week. Sorry. Hugs.

      Like

  15. Srijana says:
    July 7, 2017 at 9:37 am

    Sorry for your loss,beautifully written

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Sarah Brentyn says:
    July 6, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    A gorgeous poem with rich imagery…what a beautiful tribute. ❤ And I love the thought of butterflies surrounding you, appearing to you. It seems a mix of Mother Nature and Magic.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. To Butterflies – SEO says:
    July 6, 2017 at 3:20 am

    […] via To Butterflies — Myths of the Mirror […]

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Healing Grief says:
    July 5, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    Beautiful Diane. Butterflies are my symbol too. It’s very comforting 🍃🙏🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 6, 2017 at 5:06 am

      Thank you, Karen, and that’s wonderful. They really are nature’s flying flowers and what beautiful gifts when they come to comfort. I went to the beach that day and was greeted by butterflies. Thanks so much for stopping by to read. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  19. indianeskitchen says:
    July 5, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    What a beautiful way to honor your brother!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Sean P Carlin says:
    July 5, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    What a lovely tribute to your brother, Diana. And what better use of art than to turn pain into beauty?

    Liked by 1 person

  21. K'lee L. says:
    July 5, 2017 at 10:34 am

    This is extraordinary, Diana. Thank you for sharing this difficult loss with us all.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 5, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      Thanks for stopping by to read, K’lee. This happened a long time ago, but it bubbles up now and then – especially on anniversaries and holidays. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem and hope you had a wonderful 4th celebration. Keep smiling, my friend. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      • K'lee L. says:
        July 6, 2017 at 6:32 am

        It reminds me of the loss of my brother, who died at the age of eighteen. He and I were very close. I miss him to this day and yes, the loss comes up, but so does the happier memories of his time on this earth. Your gift with words will always keep him alive is the feeling I get from your poem.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. patriciaruthsusan says:
    July 5, 2017 at 8:43 am

    I understand, Diana. My dad died on July 4, 1980. I never forget. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  23. C.E.Robinson says:
    July 4, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Diana, beautiful words remembering and honoring your brother. Peaceful thoughts for the 4th of July. 🌺🌷🌸 Christine

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 5, 2017 at 5:22 am

      Thanks for the kind wish, Christine. We had a fun Fourth. There’s gnome treasure in our woods and we went on a lengthy treasure hunt with Tornado Boy. He made out like a bandit. I hope your holiday was full of laughter too. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Julie Holmes, author says:
    July 4, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    A beautiful poem, Diana, to go with a sad memory. May the sight of Monarch butterflies lift your spirit despite your sorrow. Enjoy the holiday with your family. Happy 4th of July!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 5, 2017 at 5:17 am

      Thanks, Julie. The poem is sadder than I feel, most of the time. The loss was 14 years ago and I’ve adjusted. We had Tornado Boy over yesterday and went on a gnome treasure hunt. A fun and busy day. I hope you had a Happy Fourth!

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.