There’s something about the melody
In the first soft breeze of spring
That ushers forth a song of life
And brings me a sense of peace

It touches the leaves of my sanctuary
And makes them sway with life, with new growth
And wakes the sleepy butterflies from their chrysalis
To begin a brand new road

The mourning cloaks and their tattered wings
The cabbage whites that wake to spring
The spring azures in brilliant blue
The eastern commas that’ll fly straight to you

And I can say that it’s with pride
I send them off on their way
They make the air sparkle as they fly
Under the brilliant tapestry of the day

And in the heat of the summer they give me kisses
To wish me well as they soar
The monarchs, the skippers, the swallowtails
Continue to fly, to grow

The painted ladies decorate the clouds above
The hairstreaks dance unashamed
And as they flutter past on strong wings
I think I hear them calling my name

But as the winds chill, their voices start fading
And with desperation I look to the north
To see the coppers and whites struggling
To brave the coming cold storm

And when autumn comes there’s grief hanging
As the butterflies settle and breathe their last
As they lower their weary wings and shed
The burdens they’ve carried in the past

Some encase themselves in hardened shells
Others fall to the ground
Their duties done, their journey at its end
They fold their wings, asleep in peaceful death

And as autumn reaches its end
I find my sanctuary silent all around
My footsteps are empty echoes
My tears liquid crystals on the ground

And yet, there’s something about the lullaby
In the first falling snow of winter’s chill
That tells me though all things have an ending
All living things have a will

And though my butterflies might be sleeping
They might be lifeless under broken foliage and leaves
But when I hear the song of the spring rain
I know, soon, the cycle will begin again