Late Summer

And the butterflies are returning with late summer.

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The Butterfly and the Bloom

Tiny butterfly in gold
Paused upon a smiling bloom
Bluer than the sky.  Its plume
Did not bend beneath the hold
Of dainty feet that brushed its face,
Or golden wings that caught the air
While searching for sweet nectar there.
Weightless was its simple grace.
Wings and flower, azure bright,
Saffron arc that beat and swayed
With feather touch--all these have stayed
In my heart, a moment’s sight.
Though the creature swiftly flew,
Moment’s glimpse will still endure:
Paradise in miniature--
Wings of gold amid the blue.

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In sky of night blue,
great bars of grey and white clouds
reflect August moon.

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Mountain Shadows

Shadows on shadows, light on light,
Where clouds and sun alike take flight
Without wings.

Purple on purple, green on green,
With showers passing in between;
Summer sings.

Twilight on twilight, dawn on dawn,
While clouds and sun send softly on
Their blessings.

Sunset on sunset, morn on morn,
The life of tomorrow yet to be born--
All it brings.