When something bad happens,
something that brings you harshly back to reality,
letting you know one day
you will lose the life you have now,
look for butterflies.
Two weeks before,
when all was blooming
and life was full of daily walks
among wildflowers,
we took into our classroom
black swallowtail larvae.
This is a dependable cycle,
metamorphosis, changing,
eating itself into a chrysalis,
camouflaged, unrecognizable.
Then like a miracle,
beauty breaks free
out of nature’s cage
reminding us
we long for flight.
Reflections on the Teche 
Yes. Always ALWAYS look for butterflies. (and when you can, bring the caterpillars inside to raise so that you can ensure that others will be able to find the butterflies when they need them the most)
That’s the plan, Mary Lee, but school ends this week. I am going to be looking for monarchs soon. I guess I will have to come back to school in the next few weeks.
Margaret, this is a lovely poem. I bet this activity brought the students lots of joy. I can see them writing poems sad you have.
Fantastic photo! I love how your poem changes in feeling from the beginning stanza to the hope filled last one.
Margaret, I love this reminder to look for the butterflies. It reminds me of the days when Mr. Rogers talked to kids about what to do when they felt scared – he said to look for the helpers. So much to be said here about the power of symbols and people.
Oh my goodnes, Margaret – SO BEAUTIFUL! I love the lines:
beauty breaks free
out of nature’s cage
reminding us
we long for flight.
WOW!
A gorgeous photo, Margaret, and a radiant message of hope. Spring stirs the spirit, practically shouting, that all is not lost. Your lines pierce” “One day/you will lose the life you have now” – true on many levels. We grow older, time grows shorter. Things and losses happen; we must adapt. The lesson of the butterflies is one of incomparable overcoming, literally an metaphorically. As you write: a dependable cycle, a miracle, breaking free of nature’s cage…we do long for that flight. It’s so familiar yet infinitely wondrous. I find such peace in every line here – thank you.
Oh, Margaret, your poem…that first stanza especially. In our grief, “look for the butterflies” What a peaceful and hope-filled poem. I love imagining you and the delighted students in awe letting the butterfly loose in the garden. So gorgeous.