Contrary: Lepidoptera

The Butterfly & the Moth or Lepidotera | Ted Frisbie

I. Hiding in over-

exposure, the moth and I

rest with wings unfurled

Disguised in complete

vulnerability, sun

shines color from wings.

What else is concealed

through utter transparency?

Us: the moth and me.

II. She, the butterfly,

keeps beauty hidden inside

camouflaged wings

Colors are exposed

in flashes as she flies by;

she opens slowly-

More at ease to have

sails upturned and snapped shut-she

alights and is gone.

III. Why the color flash?

Why the blending in? Cannot

lepidoptera

decide? Or do we

all bear a two-sided flag,

part respecting set

conventions while, at

the same time, nursing our own

riot of color?