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 