Butterfly Reincarnation

Based on the Chinese legend, the Butterfly lovers, about Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai

A flash of colour
A creature whose perfection
Whose grace enchants
Tempting our hearts
Only to flutter away

Poised upon a leaf
Its wings pointing to the heavens
Eyes facing each other
Holding the other's gaze
Reflecting each wing
Each other's thoughts
Close, but never touching

Subtly leaning closer
Closing the distance
Inch by inch
Acre by acre

It leapt like a startled doe
Wings outstretched
Fluttering from the unseen trap
Running from her heart
Into the bleak webs of fate

Beating furiously against its prison
Yearning for the freedom of flight
To see the world at its feet
Whilst poised on a leaf.

Even as it stopped its futile batter,
Its wings pointed to the heavens.
Even as the spider unspun its web
Its hands locked in eternal prayer

It falls into the crimson blanket
Lying amongst the autumn leaves
Searching for its lost heart
Awaiting the butterfly reincarnation