Thoughts flutter through my mind. The Summer fields and verges have been the playground for more butterflies than I can remember. They played with my imagination. There is a short story, written for the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award - the flash of its colour catches my eye every time I glance at my drafts. I want to share it, but its time will come. That ‘Little Butterfly’ will emerge when it is ready.
I was reminded by it of another short piece, one I wrote last year. An encouragement, perhaps … to whom, I’m not sure. Maybe it was written for me; a gentle reminder that like the butterflies we can emerge, the beauty of our creative practice there to catch the eyes of the beholders. Perhaps it was a reassurance, to me or other nervous creatives, that our work will find its audience, but not if it stays hidden.
It is a short piece to add weight to our resolve, and yet to lift us on gossamer wings.
Emergence
I wonder - Out loud but tentatively - whether butterflies get nervous.
Towards the end of the two weeks they spend in the chrysalis, do they start to wonder what the world they are about to emerge into is like?
Maybe butterflies get a little anxious.
Wondering to themselves about putting off the moment. Perhaps, they think, we’ll just take a few more days with wings wrapped comfortingly around ourselves? We’ll stay hidden inside this protective shell of familiarity; in here, there is no need to deal with the uncertainty of a world that is potentially so different from that which we know.
If butterflies get anxious, how do they deal with the nerves?
Do they tell themselves reassuringly that they are equipped to deal with the world as they find it. Their colourings and characteristics will blend in; their bright spots will draw them to the attention to those of like-mind and spirit.
Yes, perhaps that's exactly what the butterflies think.
We imagine their emergence into a whole new world will be just fine; we know that they'll adapt and thrive.
"I wonder - Out loud but tentatively - whether butterflies get nervous."
I watched a vicious battle between a butterfly and a hornet the other day, it was fast and furious and unbelievably the butterfly flew away, seemingly unharmed.
Makes me wonder if butterflies/we are tougher than we think!
Happy weekend !