(14 October 1888 – 9 January 1923 / Wellington)

poet Katherine Mansfield
#375 on top 500 poets
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Butterfly Laughter

In the middle of our porridge plates
There was a blue butterfly painted
And each morning we tried who should reach the
butterfly first.
Then the Grandmother said: "Do not eat the poor
butterfly."
That made us laugh.
Always she said it and always it started us laughing.
It seemed such a sweet little joke.
I was certain that one fine morning
The butterfly would fly out of our plates,
Laughing the teeniest laugh in the world,
And perch on the Grandmother's lap.

Submitted: Tuesday, December 31, 2002


Read poems about / on: butterfly, laughter, world

Comments about this poem (Butterfly Laughter by Katherine Mansfield )

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  • ~~ Lyda ~~ (3/10/2013 3:02:00 PM)

    They have a family joke going on with their pet Butterfly. Is the Butterfly real or fake? The answer is out in the open or is it? Lol! I wish I could make people laugh like that. She has a lovely Grandmother. The poets amusing imagination is extraordinaire. This poem shows us the joy of Grandmother and childs anything but ordinary life. The treasure of family ties in this poem is imense. I love this poem because makes me thankful for family. Family is important... :) 10+

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Karen Sinclair (3/10/2013 8:31:00 AM)

    Delightful. From the mouths or should I say minds of babes. Beats adult considerations ie I wonder how much this plates worth.

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Rafaad Roslan (3/10/2012 10:12:00 AM)

    You were plunged in a solemn state of awareness where you oppose your mere instincts and went overboard. This somehow created an illusion of me to oppose from your piece. It's terrifyingly wonderful... Thanks for this good poem. :)

    1 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Rohith Ramdas (3/10/2012 3:56:00 AM)

    So much innocence....so adorable! Reminded me of my grandma....she left us an year ago, on March 13th,2011.. : ')

    4 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Ramesh T A (3/10/2012 1:53:00 AM)

    Ha, ha, ha...! Nice technique of grand mother makes children take food fast! She lives forever indeed through this poem!

    3 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Marilyn Lott (10/23/2009 1:48:00 PM)

    Another adorable poem by Ms. Mansfield. Loved it!
    A '10! ' I'm not going to tell her to keep writing as I've
    noticed some have, since she died in 1923! : 0)

    Marilyn

    3 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
Read all 6 comments »

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