Around me, the cars rush-

shoosh shoosh shoosh-

wind puffs ruffling the butterflies.

Rising gently each one tries

to escape muscle and bone,

as each one seeks its way home.

Afternoon sun stains everything gold-

except the sky, blue and bold.

By the side of the road

I imagine I see

men with scythes swinging free-

shirt sleeves rolled tight on brown arms-

gathering corn stalks and orange pumpkins.

Instead I grip the steering wheel-

riveted like steel into steel-

something solid to hold

as butterfly wings unfold.

I will my eyes to look

straight ahead. I will not crook

my head up to the mirror.

The heat creeps up my neck like a fever.

Behind me melting steel curling around a bloody gash-

slowly crumpling in a shroud of lava and ash.

Dreams on white paper drift through the town

gently fluttering down-

fragile wings of desire

crumple into extinction in the fire.

Hold fast to blue and gold-

today butterfly wings unfold

around me silently,

souls finally

free.