Untimely

[poliphilo]

I was watching Ready, Player One last night- a trite movie about profound themes- corporate power and the nature of reality- when I noticed an untimely butterfly fluttering around one of the wall lights. I paused the movie and went and had a closer look. It was a peacock butterfly and by now it had settled itself on the wall and was sunning its spread wings in the artificial radiance. Later it followed me into the next room, settled above the settee where I normally sit, folded its wings and went to sleep. It was still there this morning- and- just now- even as I write about it- it has woken up and is beating itself against the nearest window. I think I need to capture it and put it outside. It's not going to live long either inside or out but if I were a butterfly I believe I'd rather die in the open air, having- however briefly- had the opportunity to feel the actual sunshine on my wings.

Comments

[cmcmck]

I think the mildness of the Winter has fooled them rather.

[poliphilo]

Yes, indeed. I think thus far we've only had a couple of days when the temperature has dropped below freezing.