The fragility of life

A peacock butterfly
           with its distinctive eyespots
flittering above a broad green sea
           occasionally dipping down
to alight on the dandelions
           that litter the unmown lawn
its wingblades stored vertically
           as momentarily it feeds on the nectar

a born mimic
           the peacock is one of nature’s
true lightweights—
           oblivious to the brevity of its life
it cryptically protects itself
           whenever it sets itself down
by displaying leaflike its dull brown
           underbelly so as to be
to all intents and purposes
           invisible to the naked eye

John Lyons