Sedum Butterfly

I watch the butterfly

stir and 

stretch its amber wings, 

display

fierce eyes of brilliant indigo,

orange trim, and 

four orange sargeant stripes.

Early fall warmth

and the sedum flowers

draped in magenta

are in bloom.

The butterfly 

pumps her wings

in time to the breeze. 

Her strong thread of a tongue

moving in and out,

licking the flower heads.

This warmth will pass;

the oak leaves are turning crimson.

We take pleasure

while we can.