Something Strange
There are dozens of butterflies
on the Buddleia, different kinds
congregating together,
sipping and dipping
sharing a honey-scented spray.
They come in rotation normally,
peacocks first, bright-eyed,
followed weeks later,
by cheerful tortoiseshells.
Nowadays, painted ladies are scarce,
but still they come if they come at all
before the dark-uniformed admirals
with their red braid.
But this July they're all together,
not choosy of the company they keep,
and even vulgar cabbage whites
are permitted to join the throng.
Last week I read of a butterfly carpet
in Texas, where over 100 million
fluttering beauties
covered great tracts of land.
Something strange is going on,
when lepidoptera unite.
If they're plotting world domination
it can only be a most gentle tyranny,
a velvet hand in a gossamer glove.
on the Buddleia, different kinds
congregating together,
sipping and dipping
sharing a honey-scented spray.
They come in rotation normally,
peacocks first, bright-eyed,
followed weeks later,
by cheerful tortoiseshells.
Nowadays, painted ladies are scarce,
but still they come if they come at all
before the dark-uniformed admirals
with their red braid.
But this July they're all together,
not choosy of the company they keep,
and even vulgar cabbage whites
are permitted to join the throng.
Last week I read of a butterfly carpet
in Texas, where over 100 million
fluttering beauties
covered great tracts of land.
Something strange is going on,
when lepidoptera unite.
If they're plotting world domination
it can only be a most gentle tyranny,
a velvet hand in a gossamer glove.
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