they took me
by surprise
as if in
not after
a day dream
around my feet
as I sat
under my elder tree
where butterflies
drying their wings
flat on the warm
stone pathway
red and yellow and black
black and speckled gold
it was not just the buddleja
though its tiny golden hearted
purple flowers would help
but no
not entirely
they must have hatched
I think
from where I know not
but here they were
as in a dream
though real
fluttering
alive
antenae bending
wings lifted
then downwards
in the warm
gentle breeze
our cat, Katriona,
was oblivious to all this
or maybe she was just
as spellbound as me
on such a day
as never before
my feet
guarded
by gentle butterflies

07/08/2010