The Yellow Butterfly

I walked along the shore yesterday

And witnessed

A powerful ocean

Falling melodiously upon itself.

Then, to my surprise,

A small yellow butterfly

Crossed my path,

Heading determinedly out to sea

In its own rag-tag butterfly way.

Imagine that!

Delicate and fragile wings

Fluttering with great purpose

Against the wind,

Driven by instinctual desire,

To be above the magnificent, thrusting ocean’s swells,

With only the endless,

Shifting, watery depths,

To meet its journey’s end.

What courage, this little creature!

I wonder if it knew that death waited,

Out, over that vast ocean.

I wonder if it cared.

Perhaps fulfilling soul’s dreamings

Was all that really mattered …