The Sunday Whirl presents twelve words for us to use in a creative writing piece.
This weeks words are:
witchcraft, metamorphosis, garden, whirl, woods, fly, siren, sign, breath, stone, circle, why
Poets & Storytellers prompt is "The joy of walking away".
In this case it is "The joy of flying away".
Metamorphosis
Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns.
-- The Odyssey
Why? is the wrong question.
How? Is more to the point.
There is magic afoot in my garden.
How a pudgy, multi-legged sausage,
Full of the half-digested greenery
Of my well-loved garden,
Encases itself in a circle, a case, of gossamer
A change booth, a most private retreat
Only to re-emerge as a butterfly?
What witchcraft is this?
I hold my breath as it takes its first,
Before launching off, flying off,
More a wobble than a whirl
Twisting and turning
Moving from plants to flowers to woods.
How can this melting and remaking happen?
A clear sign of my ignorance.
What else is changing without witness?
Were the tangle of wire coat-hangers
Once my strangely missing ball-points?
What am I to believe?
Is there anything set in stone?
And if they are, can I trust the stones?
The siren’s say ‘come Ulysses, come closer’.
Are they really stones?
My toe says yes.
◊
Technical point: the Ulysses butterfly, The Dunk Island Blue, was my late wife's favourite butterfly.
ReplyDeleteMine too.
Delete🦋
DeleteNice touch, Ulysses! I've never seen one...must go and look it up.
DeletePris cilla King
It was a happy coincidence all 'round, Pris cilla.
DeleteI love this - and am a big, big fan of flutterbyes.
ReplyDeleteWith your flower collection, I don't doubt it.
DeleteAre not butterflies being the reincarnated spirits of people that are deserving of being pecked to death by birds?
ReplyDeleteIs that Buddhist or Hindu?
DeleteWhat about Indian Meal Moths? Are they people who used to hang out on the web?
DeleteI'm not sure what the point is here.
DeleteI'm glad I'm American and don't believe that! Some butterflies are composters but we see them as symbols of transformation.
DeletePK
Not sure about the composters description. Most definitely symbols of transformation though.
DeleteI wondered where all my pens go to! Socks? What are they the larval form of?
ReplyDeleteCoffee mugs, I think.
DeleteLee suggesting is a good one but socks are the larval form of empty Vegemite jars.
DeleteWhat else is changing without witness? It’s a beautiful reminder of how much goes on beneath the surface, both in nature and in our own lives, often without our understanding. Your poem left me reflecting on the mysteries of transformation. Thank you for inviting me into that space of wonder, doubt, and discovery.
ReplyDelete“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.” – Lewis Carroll.
Delete"It can be challenging to figure out who you are. It's a process that takes time, filled with self-discovery, introspection, and a bit of trial and error..." Unknown Author
DeleteTrue.
DeleteWhat else is changing without witness? ... socks and coffee mugs, of course, maybe people too...we're just the larvae of some thing else... :)
ReplyDeleteOr the food for the larva of something else?
DeleteTrust a scientist to say that!
DeleteSome of the comments here are as entertaining as your poem!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that you are not taking the diminutive Michael?
DeleteThanks Shaun.
DeleteSome wonderful existential pondering brought firmly down to earth with a stubbed toe! (And thank you for all your kind comments at mine) Jae
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome and the comments most deserved.
DeleteIndeed, we are surrounded by magic and miracles, if only we stop to notice.
ReplyDeleteLove the ending!
Thank you, Rosemary.
DeleteThere's a sweet playfulness that draws me into this piece. The stones and stubbed toe are as real as the butterfly's wings. They're all part of the joy and absurdity of life.
ReplyDeleteI can vouch for life being pretty absurd at the moment. Joy is more scattered. (But there if you look for it.)
Deletei love your ending on this!
ReplyDeleteI too am also being so glad that he has reached the ending.
DeleteThanks Anonymous poster.
DeletePTM: Be nice.
DeleteI am being a Princess. You will not be reducing me to an acronym like a common cash machine.
DeleteI am drowning in the deep depths of your beautifully composed poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen.
DeleteYour poem brings both the spiritual and existential aspects of life.....beautifully interwoven. Also I like to believe that butterflies are our dear departed souls on a short visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jossina, a lovely idea.
Delete"Is there anything set in stone?
ReplyDeleteAnd if they are, can I trust the stones?"
Ah, a question to ponder!
Your description of the butterfly emerging is gorgeous.
Thank you. Metamorphosis or metaphysical? Either will do.
Delete