butterfly

pale as the flesh on these bones
beautiful in flutter
a distant yet approaching reminder
of what we've become
erratic in flight
a single purple spot
the only blaze of color
left for us to share

this solitary darkness
brilliant in itself
a harbinger ignored
as we slipped into the deep
awake in sleep
we stared as if in memory
of the orchid hues
which once defined us

gone as soon as it arrived
deafening in retreat
this thing of stunning simplicity
capturing us in midstep
light in shadow
bringing us full circle
to the emptiness we defined
before its arrival at our feet