Butterflies and Homo sapiens

Mark Walker mwalker at aisvt.bfg.com
Tue Sep 9 09:02:44 EDT 1997


> 	The Butterfly upon the Sky
> 
> 	The Butterfly upon the sky,
> 	That doesn't know its Name
> 	And hasn't any tax to pay
> 	And hasn't any Home
> 
> 	Is just as high as you and I,
> 	And higher, I believe,
> 	So soar away and never sigh
> 	And that's the way to grieve -

(Emily Dickinson)

<SNIP>

> Finally, can anyone explain why she switched at the end to a comment about
> grieving?

Well, Patrick, I think the whole poem is about grieving.  Emily's comment here
is that we worry too much, and that worrying is an indication of our _lower_
position on the food chain.  Why can't we live our lives like the butterfly,
fluttering about with no concern for the 'morrow?  Actually, I totally agree
with Emily.  And chasing after that butterfly is my way of becoming one.

Mark Walker.



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