It brushed my arm, lightly caressing

as it winged lazily flapping by me,

bright blue amongst the long green

grasses of the overgrown verges.

—

My eyes followed its gentle passage,

none but me to see its fair fluttering,

resting so sensitively on each sweet,

nectar filled flower in the hedgerow.

—-

Camera at the ready as it slowly lay

on the summery petals, sun warmed,

a slight flicker and I had its likeness

as it slipped, flowing with grace away.

—

The picture looked solid and heavy

with grief I looked in vain for the

fragility of that delicate china blue,

beauteous in its velvety softness.

—

I waited quietly and a watched as

other white tipped yellow, red and

gold came, flapping dainty wings

and drank in their lives instead.