The butterfly is strapping on a bullet-proof
vest. The trees are scraping stars off the
sky. The sun is in peril from the wounds it
baked into the earth. The sea is being
sucked into rivers and back into clouds.
There will be upheaval. When you have
been stretched as far as you can allow, the
ricochet will not be subtle. Recoil gathers
the mutant seeds of anarchy. Viva la
revolución. When the time comes, all that
will be left is a question waiting between
you and your mirror. Resurrection is not
just faith, is it? Look behind you, the
universe is undressing slowly in your bed.
How will you prove your love tonight?
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THOUGHT PURGE 
I can’t get that image of the butterfly strapping on a bullet-proof vest, out of my mind.
I love your ending on this excellent poem.
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Thanks so much, Sara.
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Did I tell you I love this? That is the great final questionl
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Thanks so much, Yvonne.
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OMG you slay me with that final image – me and everyone else. And that butterfly at the start is stunning too. If poetry could save the world, this one would.
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If only poetry could!!! Thanks for your kind comment, Rosemary. So glad you liked it.
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Powerful, powerful writing. Your imagery is profound in this piece. I am speakless, really. THIS is poetry.
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Thanks so much, Wendy. That’s very kind.
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Fastastic and creative, with a provocative ending.
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Thanks so much!
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OMG, this is my favour of your up till now
Happy Wednesday Rajani
Much❤🕊❤love
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Thanks so much, Gillena.
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Perfect. I shall think up ways to prove my love tonight. Every little effort helps.
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Yes it does… thanks Vivian. Glad that resonated.
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A pleasure!
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I’ve just bought your book and will be reviewing it on my FB Author page when I’m done 😊
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Yay! Thanks so much, Vivian. Appreciate that greatly. I am not on facebook, but I do look forward to reading your feedback – on email perhaps? 🙂
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Not to worry-I’ll pop it on my page and ‘zon’ UK 🙂
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Great! Thanks Vivian!
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This poem left me breathless. It is beautiful, a challenge and an ispiration.
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Thank you, Myrna.
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This is so beautifully provoking. Eloquent and captivating. And challenging: how will we prove our love. Wonderful! Thank you!
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Thanks so much.
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powerful writing I must say! I am inspired by reading this. 🙂
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Thanks so much…am glad it resonated.
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“When the time comes,”…this part looks so eerie and fear evoking. Wow!
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Thanks, Sumana. Things seem scary as they unfold, don’t they? Where are we heading?
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There is no love when man is on the take all the time. We are destroying the planet’s seas, trees and animals and don’t think much of each other either. This is no way to maintain the planet! What a great poem you have written Rajani.
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Thanks so much, Robin.
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Actually the first few lines made me think of Smashing Pumpkins and the “Bullet with butterfly wings”.., I feel that in the end maybe we can trust love to hold the key
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No idea what those pumpkins are… a band, perhaps?? 🙂 But yes, if we don’t even love ourselves enough to consider worth saving, we are in a terrible fix, aren’t we!?
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It’s a band and they have a song titled “Bullet with Butterfly wings” which in itself is one of the best titles ever,
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A great title indeed.. and pretty strong lyrics too! Thanks for introducing me to them!
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Love is really only effective or meaningful when realized it’s a verb.
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So true and so well said! Thanks, Margaret.
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So many brilliant lines, Rajani. And you ask the difficult questions.
Resurrection is not
just faith, is it? Look behind you, the
universe is undressing slowly in your bed.
How will you prove your love tonight?
The conclusion blew me away.
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Thank you, Kerry. The muse is all but dead, only surfacing for such dire poems!
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This is a call to arms to the gentlest among us. We may not win in the war to save the planet, but we shall all certainly lose if we don’t try.
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No option but try, the way things are unfolding! Thanks so much, Rommy.
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Wow. A masterful ending that will ricochet far. I love the rest too and the stage you set with the natural order going array.
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Thanks so much, Colleen.
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When you have
been stretched as far as you can allow, the
ricochet will not be subtle.
Absolutely! A breaking point would be most apparent before it snapped off.
Hank
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Thanks Hank.
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That is some image, Rajani, of the butterfly strapping on a bullet-proof vest! This is such a powerful piece, a stark warning. I love the final lines.
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Thanks so much, Kim.
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Wowww!!! ❤️ This is phenomenal writing, Rajani! Especially love; “the universe is undressing slowly in your bed. How will you prove your love tonight?” 🙂
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Thank you, Sanaa 🙂
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How will you prove your love tonight? thank you for prodding me to consider this question.
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Thanks so much Tio.
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