For Liz

(Tiger Swallowtail Comes to Flowers)

Carolyn and Jennifer,
your mother is not gone,
she sees the world through your eyes now.

You can hear her voice
in the quiet whispers of the wind
or in the soft
               beating of
                    butterflies’ wings.

Her eyes sparkle
with the twinkling reflections
of the morning sun on every still pond
and her touch is still present,
delicately caressing the downy presence
of every new chick that hatches.

She is everything that is beautiful and kind.

She will always be.

Mike 16/6/95
Pedde