32
PEACOCK BUTTERFLY
Spiky black caterpillars, feeding on stinging nettles in
July turned secretly into fluorescent patterned pale green
chrysalids glinting with spots of gold and green. Later,
one, tipped upside-down on its withered nettle stem,
vibrated for fully a minute; we looked on astounded that
something so apparently unable to move could produce such
energy.
A fortnight went by, each chrysalid had slowly darkened
and in a dull corner of the room appeared a creamy-brown
with dark flashing eyes. I wanted a photograph, but
sunshine changed the picture and the effect was lost.
That day, when no one was looking, there came the perfect
butterfly, its dark brown, speckled, closed wings hiding
the brilliant eyes inside. Out in the garden we let it go,
ouer the top of the willow tree to disappear, with a fold
of those wings, among the leaues.
IRENE BUCHAN
CHINGFORD - AUGUST 1980