You park in the same spot.
You walk the same hall,
see the same faces, but one day,
a child opens her hands to show you
a butterfly, and suddenly,
you become a part of her wonder.
You invite her to go outside.
“Let’s find a flower to feed the butterfly.”
You open Google and take a photo.
Images pop up identifying the beautiful wings
as “Gulf fritillary or Passion butterfly.”
Other children gather round
and pass the gentle butterfly hand to hand.
In your mind, you know this is not a good sign.
The butterfly is not viable, yet one student squeals,
“I’ve never seen a butterfly so close up!”
Others whisper, “Wow!”
“It’s so soft!”
Wonder continues, grows, swells,
so the poor fritillary becomes a subject
to study, a specimen for children’s eyes.
You decide it’s an honor
to be known as the butterfly whisperer.
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh wow Margaret… A butterfly whisperer!
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I love the voice of this poem. I feel the joy, love, and wonder in your poem. Your first stanza moved me from the sameness of your days to “a child opens her hands to show you/a butterfly, and suddenly, /you become a part of her wonder.” Each stanza, each line you moved me. I love the ending “You decide it’s an honor /
to be known as the butterfly whisperer.” I love the whole poem. Thank you for this gift of children’s wonder, your wonder, joy, and inspiration. Beautiful.
Margaret, can I use your poem as a mentor poem for my notebook? I will put a copywrite sign by your name.
I’d be honored to be a mentor. So often I feel the opposite, that I am the mentee. Thanks.
Thank you. You’re definitely a mentor! 🙂
PS Beautiful pics. I love her proud smile.
The wonders of nature and it is so nice when children learn to appreciate this. Well written.
That SMILE. That smile says it all! And I’m sure that student was beyond grateful for the moment you took to encourage her, to feed her wonder. And me? I’m grateful for this Slice. Thank you!
The wonder – – being invited to be part of a child’s wonder. Oh, what a glorious role to be the one entrusted with those moments of discovery. You are blessed.
Butterflies, their metamorphosis, and their life cycle are so awe-inspiring. You captured it perfectly. Here’s to years of being a fellow Butterfly Whisperer! (I’m just known locally as the Butterfly Lady – not as whimsical as your title!)
This is absolutely beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. As the father of child in the picture, I can say you have truly captured in words how she is with animals of all shapes and sizes. Her love for nature and people is very special. Thank you so much for this.
Margaret, not only are you a butterfly whisperer but an awakener of learning and a teacher writer. You earned the titles as you help a child understand what it is to “become a part of her wonder” through the recounting of this beautiful unfolding story.
I am also in awe of how the butterfly stays silent on the child’s finger for all to see.