After the rain,
long into the dark spring,
on the bank of the River
Eight-Fingered Monk,
in the midst of a sloping,
cream-colored cloud
of wild flowers,
an old man’s hands
flashed and gently
trapped a butterfly.
He held it aloft
fast in the light of
strengthening sun,
veined and translucent
Kallima, fluttering,
sweetly painted wings,
dressed as a falling leaf.
A warming sun froze
a diamond tear
in the corner of an ancient eye —
gnarled fingers parted,
the butterfly freed
floated soft among fragrant jasmine
kissed a white almond-blossom,
fluttered atop hedge rows
touched a quivering lotus heart,
the nestled amid
sap-tears of the giant pine.
— Carol MacAllister
Note: Kallima is also known as an oak leaf butterfly
Carol MacAllister has placed numerous short stories in trade collections, including in Chicken Soup for the Soul, “Happily Everafter.” The Ocean Grove resident has also completed an historical novel, “God Only Watches.”
