for Isabella

Yesterday during the lemony light of dawn
we write notes to each other on a tiny pad
stuff them into a book pocket—
messages to keep her bold.
Today by the sun-warmed pool
under the snowy Cascades
a butterfly lands
opens praying wings
of black and white stripes.
We are all entranced by the bold flyer
that swoops and returns to pool’s edge
How amazing the parents cluck
So close to the children.
But Isabella is the closest
fixes it with her large lashed eyes
It sits for photos and for praise
swollen from pollen in the nearby lilac.
Satisfied it sweeps off without a goodbye
and we wave together
happy for the visit

for Jordan

At the indoor garden
blue morpho lands on a his shoulder
then a convocation of owl wings on a plate of banana peels
Behind a pane of glass the volunteer snips the just hatched
In a few minutes a storm of wings released
in a flurry of amazed sighs
A swallowtail with a proboscis
lands on a fingertip
searches for the hibiscus pollen
holds on for a dear brief life
JJ runs away and twirls about
rushes into the enclosed hall
away from all that fragile beauty
drying their wings in a profusion of pride

—Linda Drajem