~ I love butterflies, always have. When I was young, about eight years old, a neighbor found out about my keen interest in them. He was a friend my parents and came over one day, with a big wooden box under his arm and asked “do you want to see my butterfly collection?” I was ecstatic and could hardly contain my excitement. I said, “I sure do!” 1
He carefully placed the hinged box on the table. When he opened it, I immediately looked up, toward the ceiling, expecting to see the butterflies flying around above me. Straining my eyes to see, I could not see any of my fluttering friends. That’s odd, I thought, maybe they’re just shy. So I looked inside the box and what I saw horrified me. Somme twenty butterflies were encased in small glass boxes all dried out with pins stuck in frail little bodies. “How could any one be so cruel!” I screamed.2
Well, my dad boxed my ears and my mom yelled at me for being so rude and ill mannered. I was heart broken. I remember my thoughts to this day; “butterflies are for living and flying, not torture and glass tombs.”3
There has always been something so magical and mysterious about these little winged creatures. How is it that they morph from wriggling worms to lofty angels? Yes, I realize they can do no less, it is their destiny. But it is as if some mystic incantation has transformed their beings.4
I guess I’ve hoped for that in my own life. That some magical words said in the right order, offered prayers or perfected sacrifices would bring about change in my life. Always looking beyond the process of change and hoping for the miraculous. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still believe in miracles. It is just that may be that some miracles take longer than others. 5
When I see people miserably unhappy and dissatisfied with life, I am reminded of the neighbor’s collection of butterflies in glass cages. And I feel a similar, though just as intense, heart ache. It is as if their inner transformations have been halted, pinned down and held in stasis. They look so alive yet are unable to move, for whatever reason. They are frozen in place and all the experiences and wonders of life pass by their small glass enclosures.6
I suppose is it my own childish naïveté, that leads me but I think people should be headed for better lives, it is their birthright, their destiny. People were made for living, loving and the bright pormise of life, not for torture and small glass tombs. 7
~r. 8
All rights reserved,9
© October, 2005 R.Braley10
(astralshepherd)
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Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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This was incredible. I feel the same way about the beauty of butterflies. My Favorite creature in the world. Never a care or worry between all of them, flitting from place to place enjoying themselves in all their glory. They always have the effect of bringing a smile to my face even were it to be I was crying at the time. Butterflies are indeed meant for living loving and even bringing laughter.
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I was one like the person who showed you the collection - as a science teacher my class and I created our own collection throughout the summer and had quite a good one for the area. I used to cellect them with my kids too, but then we always let them go. Also collected eggs, cacoons, pupae and watched them change and go through the stages pf metamorphosis. Love to go to butterfly houses and see them flying around the place. Enjoyed the read - good conclusion.
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I am fond of a quote by her,
"How does one become a butterfly?
You must want to fly so much
that you are willing to give up
being a caterpillar."
~Trina Paulus
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I love butterflies too - they are such beautiful creatures. And I too am amazed at the transformation they undergo. Have you ever read the book 'Hope for the Flowers' by trina paulus? I think you would really enjoy it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories.
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Your tender and loving heart is so apparent in your wonderful words. I believe God wants us to be happy...but not satisfied, well not in this life...for it isn't our Home. I think oft times I am Home sick...for Him. To finally be with Him in total happiness without sorrow or sin...Sometimes I feel like those butterflies...stilled for pleasuring someone without life for myself...then I think of what is to come, and I wait with anticipation...ya know.
Beautiful as usual Richard..
Sam
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Dear ~r.
allpoetry.com/Poem/809490
allpoetry.com/Poem/593992
Here is this poem so you don't have to go find it.
The butterfly stretches her wings
showing her beauty-
how often do we dare
show our selves to others
like that?
I have opened my wings
to you
showing my imperfections
and vulnerable areas.
Thank you for seeing
those areas that are not
so beautiful and loving me
anyway.
The first poem you have read and commented on already, but you might want to go back and reread, cause you liked it so much.
I love your story and we have talked, so I know how this fits your life. I have always thought myself a caterpillar....and I keep trying to become a butterfly.
Cheryl
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Richard this is wonderfully written. Both metaphorically and literally. I too love butterflies. It's always amazed me that God picked one of the ugliest creatures to morph into one of the most beautiful creatures...I guess he has a sense of humor afterall
I think butterflies are small symbols of what will happen to us in the afterlife. We live as caterpillars, die in a cacoon and are reborn with wings. Well done Richard, I didn't mean to ramble. Love this.
~Lyrical
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I am intended to align my thoughts with yours. I have always thought that sadness and other pathologies weren't part of one's destiny. Unfortunately, I have experienced too much of the aforementioned to really refute that being "entombed" in such darkness isn't supposed to be integral to the process of growing.
I love the visual you used here. I remember something you once told me about butterflies and the cocoon: the cocoon (adversity) is placed there to help the developing butterfly strengthen their wings before being introduced to the outside world in adult form. I suppose that some "bad" experiences are necessary to give us a balanced foundation and keep us clinging to hope.
A very poignant story. Thank you, as always, for sharing what is in your heart.
Many blessings,
Raven Aurora
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