About the Poem

Death is such a hard task-master. A child's death is the hardest to understand. But, from all experience is born new knowledge. If we but look and hope, new life can be found beyond the tears of grief.

The Weight Of The Butterfly Flower

by Martie

The flowering peach,
a daughter's bloom,
each February
she lived
in tiny pink bud.

Her tree fed my memory,
flitted across my vision
with nectar so sweet with sorrow
that the sky wept.

Oh, such weight
the delicate pink
butterfly flower held.
It took her place somehow
and lived for her each year.

A tree-gift from the fluttering
girls and boys of second grade,
now almost middle aged
with children named
Michelle, perhaps.

She will always be eight,
the bright and moving child
of my youth,
so spark and full of fire.
The first that captured my heart
and held it,
she holds it still.

She died again this fall, Michelle,
her leaves turned and bid a final
tremble to the ground.
The tree no longer lives,
just a sentinel stark and bleak
its gamine trunk.

But
under the canopy that burned
my heart again
from brown and rotting leaves
emerges the everlasting
circle of creation,
a fragile new beginning
strong with claims of yes.

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31 Visitor Comments

Kristy

I lost my little girl this past May, she was five months,I call her my precious Bayleigh Butterfly there is a reason for me calling her that. When I was reading the poem it made me think about the happy times that I got to spend with her, and also made me remember how I had decorated the ICU Room that was staying in, it was butterflies and flowers, I really love the poem and I hope that everyone get's the same meaning and feeling that I got from it myself.

Mary

One of the most moving poems I have read in a long while. thank-you

sandi

You've painted a mental picture of life, love, loss, and the continuation of love and life. a true potrait of words.

angie

it was bitter sweet

Alecia

It was really very well. It almost brought tears to my eyes. It touched me deeply you see I'm a poet as well.

Adam

I seriously am gonna die after reading your grieving yet miraculous poem. I love it so much. There's such deep meaning in it.

paige

it really sweet

Sarah

YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT POET AND YOU ARE SOO TALENTED IN WRITING THAT WAS AN AWSOME POEM AND THAT WAS REALLY TOUCHING

alythia

this poem truly touched my heart,it was as beautiful as the words dipicted the little angel to be. a blessing for you i send, for lonely hearts to mend. love,peace and light to you alythia (G. B)

Naomi

Very moving. Thank you.

Emily

Hi my name is Emily, Im 13 years old and when i was in 2nd grade one of my best friends died right before school let out. This touched me and made me remeber her. The akward this is , is that 1 year after she passed away the childeren from her grade went to the primary school and planted an oak tree. This touched me with rememberance.

SABRINA

tHIS POEM IS SO SAD, iT IS BEAUTIFUL. yOU HAVE TOUCHED ME SO DEARLY.

merc

i think this poem is very unique and beautiful,good job.

wendy

wonderful,touching .

Robert

"She will always be eight, the bright and moving child of my youth" - beautiful words. Thank you.

Larry

I know Marie's loss and that is enough, perhaps even too much.

Reyna Luz

i dnt know exactly what death is all aboutbut surely it will give a huge scars in my heart if i'm going to experienceit

Kaylah

Your poems has touched my heart in many ways as i have lost me little boy,just last week and i needed some reasureance just remember that there are holes in the floor of heaven and they are watching over you and me. hang on in there

MoRgAn

omg. i have just had a friend to die and i know what it is like. It has been 3 weeks, and it feels like im never going to get over it. Y'all just pray for me

Anne

I liked this poem but it made me cry a little bit. I've never had this happen to me before and I probley don't know how hard it would be.

Dana

I came across this site by chance a few years ago. I read this poem, and I couldn't get some of the lines out of my head. Very nicely done.

Kim

wow. death is such a sad thing. great poem tho!

pea

wow! some days are rainy but keep your head towards the sun! :) kicking poem

EVE

THIS REMINDS ME OF MY BABY GIRL SHE DIED IN APIRL 2, 8YEARS AGO. IT MADE ME CRY. CAUSE IT TALKS ABOUT THE CASKET AND APRIL 12 IS WHEN I BURIED HER AND, 8YRS LATER ON APRIL 12, I HAD GAVE BIRT BABY GIRL SO UR POEM TOUCH ME DEEPLY. THANK YOU FOR WRITING IT

shanta

this poem is very i like it alot

bernice

this a really great poem.

Dars

This made me feel very sad. Autumn is the time when the death of a loved one is hardest on all of us. She made me look at loved ones I have lost all over again.

David

I think from knowing the tragedies of the death of a child that is yours I can envision the grief the parent feels for this child gone from her but leaving behind the creation of a new life therefore giving hope that there is life everlasting in memory and life. What a graceful fond writing of the love held inside. My tears joined hers.

Julynn

Wonderful use of words.you painted pictures in my mind so strong I knew your pain.

shawna

i though it was sad

kristen

I thought you poem was heart warming, And yes it is hard to lose someone you love,but no matter what they will always be in your heart. I wish you the best of luck on the secound child. Be strong you know she is looking down on you from heaven.

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