We hug, for a moment
catch each other’s hand,
remembering the cadence
of shared dances.
We speak of children,
grandchildren, spouses.
But our eyes see butterflies
with battered wings
and transience
before the rain.
– Sarah Russell
for Poets United “bittersweet” prompt
photo source
Sarah Russell Poetry 
“see butterflies with battered wings and transience before the rain”
is a great closing line.
How true on the only being about to see those things when old lovers meet.
Our context colors everything.
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Roads not taken…
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I love that you captured a double layered instant! Nicely done, beautifully spare.
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Thanks a lot, Susan.
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Oh my goodness, this is incredibly bittersweet. Just beautiful….those butterfly wings…….ouch.
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Thanks so much, Sherry.
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Stunning ending – the truth behind the changes, always revealed.
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Thanks so much. Went over for a visit. Love your blog!
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thank you 🙂 (it’s my latest version – maybe I’ll settle in for a bit)
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Personally I don’t mind meeting up with old flames. My life has been full enough with love and experiences not to be jealous of what I missed.
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You’ve been fortunate, and it sounds like the women have been too. 🙂
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“……butterflies / with battered wings”…How perfectly bittersweet!
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ahhh…that’s bittersweet indeed. It’s so touching to read about this from a firsthand point of view. beautiful.
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Thanks so much for stopping by and your comment.
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This is truly lovely, Sarah. What a perfect match the photo is to your poem.
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Thanks, Sara. I had to look a long time for that photo. Funny how body language makes you say nope, they’re married. Nope, too staged, etc… Glad this one worked!
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“butterflies / with battered wings”… is such an apt image 🙂
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Thanks, Sanaa. We were once so young….
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