A Superstition About A Black Butterfly Poem by RIC BASTASA

if it is a brown butterfly that flutters inside
the house
we have reasons to be glad
for it means money

if it is a black butterfly we better prepare
for it means death
sorrow, lament

last night the moon was full and it was floating
on the clouds
the sky was so dark the distant star in contrast
flickers like a firefly full of life

i have seen Venus, the neighboring planet
i keep the joy of light

there came a black butterfly
inside the room passing through the window
while you were sleeping
the light of the moon was all over you

i have seen death
it is inside me this love fading like a faint light
like that most distant star
losing the essence of its light