Butterfly

We were born before our ancestors

Before the easterly wind

A child’s soft, newborn body

Born in feathers and earth

In a time that bends

So do not wait up for me

I was already here and will come again

You can sigh into a warming cup

And let your eyes rest on the merry stars

That wink at you

Knowing full well that your mother’s arms

Will extend toward you again

Embrace you

Whisper into the small of your neck

With her sweet, milky breath

I love you

You are the wind in the trees

The song of the chickadee

The yawning of the stream

So go now, open your eyes

To the light and the warmth

We have miles yet to travel together