butterfly

a butterfly landed on my shoulder
it seems so many years ago
it would sit there with
quivering wings
then fly away
but come back another day
and quiver again.
one day it flew away
and never came back.
years
years
how long can butterflies live?
how long can quivering,
delicate ones live?
I didn't know.
today the butterfly flew back
and landed once again.
this time its wings didn't
quiver.
they drooped
moist with dew
or was it tears?
but somehow
the butterfly still
flies
how long can butterflies
live?
perhaps they live
as long as they can
fly.
keep flying,
butterfly,
please keep
flying.