butterfly

my arms folded, i move my body
to the left, to the right
as far as i can reach

you don't breathe into
the dephts of your being
my teacher states gently

then asks a simple,
yet intricate question -
since when is that?

i open my arms
and feel like a butterfly
for a second

i was the tallest in class
i answer, drawing my
shoulders in to explain

the ways we make
our selfs small,
my teacher says,

softly, like the wind
she tries to make us feel,
inside of us.

~

The Butterfly Returns

Across shores,
Flying miles of thoughts
Re-emerging through words
Was the missing butterfly.
Strung across barbed wires.
Life against death.

In Mamallapuram.

And toasting the butterfly's return,
Sat an old dragonfly,
Murmuring comfort across the sea.
That life triumphs over death.

In Mamallapuram.
.

butterfly

yesterday they were here
visiting the pink flowers
now it's rain
the garden still
like an aquarel painting

while i stand there
wondering behind the window
where the butterflies fly
to wait for the end
of the rain

(smile. follows the missing butterflies below.)