Texas Greater Fritillary by Deborah A. Akers
This is another from the Texas Poetry Calendar 2008, and one which I was lucky enough to hear the author read.
Texas Greater Fritillary
By Deborah A. Akers
a butterfly! a flash
of brown and bone
silver fritillary underwings
fanning light around my feet
i sit on paving stones
and watch it preen
dark antennae quivering
in examination of my flesh
pale hair-thin tube extending
to siphon up what moisture
could be found between my toes
an impulse to catch it
flits past, unused
instead, i watch till
wings and wind carry it away
in a perfect mix of curves and line
thinner than the finest paper
lighter than my breath
more delicate
than any word i know
Current Tea: captivating caramel (black tea with caramel flavoring)
