Judy Johnson #1 'Between a Moth and a Butterfly' responding to Jean Kent #1 'Fly-Away Names'

Between a Moth and a Butterfly

A butterfly, more often than not
has antennae with a knob or hook at its end.

While a moth has a taper or frayed probe...
think of a hastily rolled wick, that must be quickly

applied to the lamp before it burns the hand
that feeds it...

Mostly a butterfly is active through the day, cold

blood in the veins of its wings
basking in the adulation of sun.

A moth's flight is often a bright
floater across the dark iris of night.

Its wings are often pale, otherworldly.
A ghost then.  A negative.  Moths are less often seen

for themselves, and more for the braille they punch
through a cabbage leaf or rose petal.

If a butterfly is Narcissus then a moth is Echo
hidden in a cave, the dull twin who repeats

the call and response of wing and wind
a little fainter each time.

Is it any wonder moths are so often drawn
to the light of doorways, lanterns, the false gods

of fireflies?  Like 19th Century women
required to sit at the feet of men

sipping small, decorous drafts
of reflected glory.  Moths must play dumb

to the painful burn of the flame
In order to get closer to what their birthright denies them.