Such a delight
this plague of butterflies
that overnight invaded our back garden
feeding alongside the honeybees
perching for mere seconds at a time
on the yellow hearts
of purple-hued chrysanthemums
they've earned their name
these tiny jewels that skip
from flower to flower
with just a flicking
of their double wings
they pay me scant attention
as I approach looking for the signs
patterns that might distinguish them
from their too numerous sisters
and cousins
though just why it is I need to know
the precise name given the simple pleasure
of watching them flit about
in their quick and skittish ways
that's something even to myself
I can't explain