Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. —Rumi

Lepidoptera enlivened your garden
breezed through the air
hovered above larkspur
fluttered beside phlox.

The display swirled with hope
enchanted your view
as did the copper translucence
in repose atop blue.

As you stood near the petals
he opened his wings
spun round your being
sailed over the alley
and flew toward the light.

The encounter met memory
released offerings of blue
as your inner voice whispered
Dad, is that you?
 

Jeannie E. Roberts has authored eight books. Her most recent collection is titled The Ethereal Effect – A Collection of Villanelles (Kelsay Books, 2022). She serves as a poetry editor for the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs and is an Eric Hoffer and a two-time Best of the Net award nominee.