Butterflying

I spied a butterflying by --
Afluttering, and gliding nigh,
Allying wind what did apply,
And wide the shutters of my eye.

It stopped, then briefly on a bloom --
And chiefly copper colored plume,
And costume topped by checkered groom,
And resting done, its trip resumed.

The wonder of a thing so frail,
Which brings a fund of feelings hale,
And rails the meadows running pale,
And sails on wings of stunning scale.

The summer rays became the day,
And tamed the hum of busy sway,
And bade succumb to mindless play,
And somehow made my cares a bay.

By G. Kittell
2003