NOBLESSE OBLIGE

NOBLESSE OBLIGE

It alights on the most unlikely places

when it is ready to unload its augury:

a herald that answers to no postmaster. 

Did it touch your face before perching

on your head preening like a silken bow?

Fear not, but beware its noblesse oblige: 

Whom the gods want to destroy, they

first caress, a beau geste for its fondest,

most innocent, most willing sacrifice. 

Like the heart that knows no rest,

the mourning papillon flits from leaf

to welcoming petals ready with nectar. 

Though it comes bearing sweetness

for its bounden message, it drops its

wings to let the doleful colour show 

and flies out of reach and rancour, out

now into the cusp of wind and fire, out

of grace, out into the world of Tiresias 

blinded but must prophesy what passes

from this life, all loves and lovers, gone

but never let loose, ever, not now, not yet. 

For any day now, the heart that bent

to the swallowtail’s random dance,

would find its elusive life full of radiance.

---Albert B. Casuga

05-30-31

Poetic Prompts: I hold my hand over my heart/ because I know it knows no rest:/ it does not want to mourn what/ passes from this life, just yet.---From “Trauermantel” by Luisa A. Igloria, Via Negativa, 05-28-11. Any day now a god /might unfurl its wings to rend the canopy;/any day now, that radiant and elusive life.---From “Foretelling” by Luisa A. Igloria, Via Negativa, 05-29-11 http://www.vianegativa.us/2011/05/foretelling/