Peaceful, sunny morning and a native
honeysuckle bush in full bloom enraptured this
Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa –
Nymphalidae)...oblivious to me standing
just inches away.

S/he quietly sipped nectar through her
'drinking straw-like' proboscis, moving
methodically from flower to flower.

In the warmth of the sun's rays, her powdery
wings fanned in a slow rhythm – open, close,
open, close – iridescent blue dots glistening
like jewels against a cloak of velvety browns.