It was high summer and there were hundreds of butterflies in there. I had stood and watched them gather, like living jewels, around a table of fruits, amazed at the way the tiny croziers of their tongues would uncurl and drink from the nectar of the oranges. The air was thick with them, spiraling as though played by little flurries of wind. If I held out an arm, eventually one would land on it and petal me into stillness. I loved to see how they mimicked the forms of the world on their wings – an ocellus, or the pattern of snake-print, all their gorgeous subterfuge. I had always wanted to be decorated like that, to hold out an arm and to have all the beauty of the world land on it, and make me beautiful, too.
— Seán Hewitt, All Down Darkness Wide: A Memoir (Penguin Publishing, July 12, 2022)
Photo: DK – Monarch Butterfly. July 31, 2022. Backyard.
How lovely that would be
Wouldn’t it though!
“ to hold out an arm and to have all the beauty of the world land on it …”
What a glorious evocation of that special ‘something’ we all long for! 🙂
So agree Simon!
Just reading this made my breathing slow and the imagery in my mind take flight.
“made my breathing slow” – you captured it, this is EXACTLY what I felt and sensed but couldn’t put the words together. Thank you.
“Petal me,” Wow…
Right!
Love it when a noun is used as a verb.
You are just overflowing with love this days! Not used to it. Overwhelming actually.
I had a very bad day. I can almost say one of the worst. I have not taken a full deep breath all day. And now I’m laughing so hard it hurts!!!
You have to keep in mind that for 2 years, while I was away, I softened a bit. I don’t recognize myself sometimes.
Shaking my head at you…
There you go. Just let it go!
Isn’t that Something!
“Petal me into stillness.” Wow.
Right!
This is so beautiful! Your words made me feel like I was there! ❤️
His Words! Are Amazing Nadine!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
WOW!! … “It was high summer and there were hundreds of butterflies in there.” … and more!! Seán Hewitt, All Down Darkness Wide: A Memoir (Penguin Publishing, July 12, 2022).
Right!?!
WOW! that’s a beauty.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Agree Klaus! Thank you!
Had to read this many times; take in its sheer beauty, the breathless wonder of it all – thank you for sharing.
So agree with you Kiki!
Like the poets in your group, I love the “petal me into stillness”.
While I would be thrilled if one alighted on my arm, I’d be satisfied for one to sit still long enough for me to focus…
Just think of you making jam. So patient…
Hmmm… Haven’t made jam in years. And yet my patience is way higher than it ever was… for some things, anyway!