In the Butterfly Pavilion

A Poem

IN THE BUTTERFLY PAVILION


This evening you said you wished


I was more conventional.


I bowed my head. I did not speak.


Outside the animals leaned together,


Breathing lightly; waiting


For my answer.


Cats-tongue ferns


Swelled up like swords, pushed out a stink


Occluding fields of vision while


The rabbit-bloodied lawn curled away. 


Phlox flamed  


Sows littered in the cyclamen


Dwarf stars broke free as


Frazzled molten ore raced across a sky


Darkening to night.


Summoning my power


My hands stay folded in my sleeves.


Nighttime is my kingdom.

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