The Voyage

I LEAVE the safety of my cocoon and flutter

Into a brave new world of sights and smells,

Colours and sounds. The sunlight rests upon

The parallel artistry of my wings for the first

Time and I begin the long and arduous search

Through the wild pastures of Life. Minutes

Crawl like days and hours are stretched into

Years, as I strive in vain for the Elusive Grail

That awaits me at journey’s end like a

Glittering prize. The vivid green of Nature’s

Limitless bounty flashes before the

Hexagonal surfaces of my compound eyes,

But still there is no trace of the One whom

I seek. My paper-thin wings begin to tire

And the leaves and petals of lesser groves

Try to entice me away from my Quest,

Down into chthonic caverns where lurking

Spiders sit upon silken strands, awaiting

The merest vibration. The light is fading,

Time is running out and the weariest of

Bees are turning homewards. I see it now,

There in the distance. A thing of great

Beauty and loveliness. I arrive at my pretty

Butterfly tree and find that my senses are

Overwhelmed by its perfumed scent and

Vast profusion of white flowers. The voyage

Is over and the soul has reached its

Destination.

© Troy Southgate