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