Monday, April 14, 2025

Vanessa atalanta

 

Vanessa atalanta has an Italian ring to it,

but she flies

among the briar blossoms here in Donegal.


When I first came to this house, I found

her in every room; her wings folded above her body.

In Winter, she’d sometimes be stirring; but now never;

what did I do?


She is, herself, an airborne flower

and I am always delighted to have her, for a moment,

in my cupped hands; but in December?


On reflection, I have been removing the briars

and pulling the running ivy;

bringing the garden to heel, you might say;

there are a lot of new houses going up around here.

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