Butterflies Aren't Love (Part 1)

they lied

they said I would know when I met the love of my life
that butterflies would gather in the depths of my stomach
clutter my mind
and take
my
breath

they lied

they said when he looked at me my steps will become unsteady
that these same butterflies would suspend me ten sky scrapers above ground
never to bring me down
and take
my
breath

they lied

they said when his eyes meet mine they will pierce my soul
that I will tingle all over your body
butterflies, will erupt like a volcano
and take
my breath

I've learned

butterflies die,
and those feelings are based in the flesh,
at best, an attraction
a collision, the worst wreck you never saw coming
one you couldn't stop

butterflies are merely a bomb, their wings
the ticking of the clock
and when he walks away, the clock
stops.

Butterflies aren't love.
©Tia Clarke 2017-2018

Update on Life/Death

It's been over a year since I've written anything on this blog, and in general I haven't penned my thoughts in a while. There have been a number of life changing experiences though, the most tragic being the loss of my grandmother.

September 28th 2017 my grandmother died. 

It still feels fictional. There are no profound words I can say, no words of encouragement to others or poems of nostalgia.  I can't even describe it. 

Her escaping this world makes sense.  Losing her was a pain but she'd gotten all she needed out of this world.  As I continue to navigate this treacherous terrain it's a wonder she was able to hold on for 91 years.