“a short conversation on the church steps”

hello.

i like your wings.
they remind me of tissue paper.
they never stop moving –
just dancing to a slower beat.
is the rhythm in your head?

i like your colors.
how is it that on your top you’re orange,
but your underside is black and white?
it doesn’t give you much camouflage –
except for when you pause on a marigold.

oh! wait!
can’t you stay long enough to say

goodbye?