They land on the flowers in the garden, and
The purple petals bend under their weight like
Eyelashes with leftover mascara from last night.
Six legs and antennae dance
From stamen to stamen, a kaleidoscope of
Color, and big, bug eyes stare at me
With the black vacancy of their souls.
They are silent predators (of nectar),
Coming from the sky and touching down on their prey
Like vultures swoop down on carrion.
One comes close to me, advancing overhead
And panic in my blood makes my heart beat
As fast as its wings, going up and down.
I put my hand up, palm glistening,
Trying to protect myself from the terrible insect,
The garden monster;
And at last, deflecting from my waving hands,
The butterfly flutters off into the spring air.