by Mary Therese

Created on: April 06, 2008

Forgotten Splendor

The butterfly no longer flies in the desert.

A merciless sun and arid winds

scorch delicate wings,

aborting each flight.

Absent nectar-laden blossoms,

barbed cacti stab what alights on them,

starving her soul.

The butterfly crawls like a caterpillar.

After a time in the desert,

creeping on her belly

and deemed a lowly worm,

her once-vivid hues faded

by the harsh sun and sandy silt,

the butterfly forgets she is a winged beauty.

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