kindness

Butterflies

~ Emma ~ 1 Comment

I put on my butterfly earrings today and something happened. My earrings have a white butterfly on them and just after I placed the loop through my second ear, I got really dizzy, the room started to spin and I had to sit down quickly.

My eyes closed involuntarily. I didn’t feel in control of my body or state anymore like something had taken possession of me. I sat there trying to open my eyes but they were forced shut. I had to wait.

This was a strangely familiar experience. Sitting on the floor, alone, waiting, wondering, slowly breathing, and then it all came flooding back. I knew what was about to happen.

All of a sudden one yellow butterfly made its way out from inside my left ear. And from there, like follow the leader, more and more butterflies expelled out in swarms from the inside of both of my ears.

I stayed so still as I watched them. I was able to open my eyes as soon as the first butterfly came out. She gave me back my sight. I held out my arms in front of me and the butterflies lined up one by one across them. It tickled and they laughed and I smiled bigger than I had in a while. I started laughing too. Their colours and the feeling of them on my arms filled my mind and my soul with excitement. My brain was being lit up by so many vibrant and detailed wings. I watched them, trying not to disturb the ones on my cheeks with my gaze. There were so many butterflies on my head. I held still but I don’t think it mattered if I moved or not, they weren’t leaving me.

No one was here to see this except the seagulls floating by the window. I think a couple of them did double takes as they flew by. No one would believe me if I told them this anyway. So I won’t, just you I’ll tell. Our secret. You and the seagulls.

Then a truly blissful moment came, where I lay back, legs and arms slightly out to the side and my body transformed, completely covered in butterflies I was.

It felt like a tornado spinning inside my head on both sides, whizzing around in my ears, like a storm, thunder and lightning, booming, crashing, rushing, spinning, and as the butterflies left each ear, it felt like buckets of sand emptying and flowing out in a stream from my head. What a wild feeling.

The sound was just like sand in the ears, crunchy, swirling sand then ejecting out with force. I couldn’t hear anything, only the beauty unfolding from the storm inside me and then around me, in front of me, above me, all over me. I began to cry. It was so beautiful.

Lying on the floor, the tears streamed down the sides of my face. The butterflies started to get wet, some even settled on my tears. They fed on them. I don’t think that they minded because they didn’t move much. Their fluttering wings on my face felt calming, like they were trying to catch the tears and use them as fuel and as nourishment.

I knew eventually I would regain my hearing, but if that meant the butterflies would leave me, I would have happily stayed deaf inside this sandstorm to keep them close and to keep them coming. Butterflies ignited my body with a gentle warmth and a protective layer. My skin was barely visible. I was butterfly skin. Never the same.

These beautiful creatures screamed grace, joy, lightness, purity and peace. What had I done to create that moment, to be blessed by such an event? The last time this happened, I was someone else and I got scared. But this time, this time the joy and surrender and acceptance and trust and welcoming of what was happening was an overwhelming experience I didn’t want to end. Loving this fate. I welcomed every butterfly as they found a spot on my body.

They covered all inches of me, fluttered and then stilled themselves. They kissed every part of me, sucked the pain from my pulsing veins and changed the shape, the sound, and the smell, of all of the things that held me down.

I felt them all working together, giving, giving, giving, filling my heart, filling my heart, filling my heart, protecting my energy and protecting my soul. They worked their wings all across me. I had never felt a force so strong in all my life, and they did not stop until I was given what was desperately needed, replenishment in all of its forms.  

I let them stay on me, allowing every moment to unfold just as it was meant to. They kept coming out of my ears, like each one had a very specific purpose, a determination and a job to fulfill. I felt like the butterfly woman. A receptacle for peace and rejuvenation. The soft and delicate power of these wonderful insects soothed my sandy mind and electrified the air around me.

I felt the shield. Each butterfly made an imprint, like the most beautiful parts of all of their souls transferring into mine. I lay there in grateful, astonished tears.

As the last butterfly departed from my ear, the moving sand sound stopped. I could hear. I lay still and hoped they would not leave. My heart felt different, bigger, stronger, truer and like I had a thousand, tiny, sweet singing souls cycling through my bloodstream.

I took a deep breath, then, the butterflies took flight away from my body. All together at once they lifted up and away from me. Their sudden absence drew me to grasp out and plead for them to stay. But instead, I sat up, smiled, thanked them for coming and then watched them float away.

They held me, blessed me, repleted me, heightened me, gifted me, sang to me… then flew out the window.

Thank you dear butterflies for choosing me. I will share your gifts and never forget what you gave me.

Cliff Figure

~ Emma ~ Leave a comment

So, they say just start writing,
if you want to be a writer.
Write what comes, even what doesn’t, just do the thing.
I’m writing and writing and, life is getting brighter.

What else do you see when you think of me?
Are there rainbows, hearts, a flower?
My mind is full of special things, slice it open, want to see?
I told you, it’s like a forest full of explosive colour, it holds a power.

If you look long and with precision, you’ll see the edge of the cliff.
There’s someone standing there, on that edge, in my mind, watching the water below.
Holding out their hands in front of them, palms up, relaxed, calm, never stiff.
Who is it that stands there, it is not me, is it my foe?

Keep in touch with the feeling, the grip and the all knowing.
The wind is pushing you, but also holding you tightly away from ill move.
There is someone inside your mind too, who knows the song of the future, the flowing.
Listen to the one standing on the cliff, directing the improve.

I am told to write by mine, she is telling me with great confidence, to fly.
She is much more delicate, soft and sure now, she see’s something I cannot just yet.
I trust her, she stands strong on that edge, the waves crashing below, she knows why.
The tide doesn’t sway her, the breeze won’t move her, she is free from fret.

What an angel she appears to be, I wish you all could see.
The way her words direct my desires, I am grateful for such a wondrous companion.
The girl on the edge of the cliff in my mind, gazing, she is totally free.
She will never leave, she is here forever, I can always find her, she will not abandon.

What does your companion say, standing on the edge in the mind of you?
How steep is your cliff, how high is your tide, what sounds do the waves make today?
I understand the reservation, the uncertainty and the questioning of who.
You can put all of your faith in that figure, they will always hold at bay.

The figures all stand strong, even amidst mighty storms.
The wavering of thoughts, the flickering of flame.  
I have always listened, always believed and neglected the thorns.
The conversation we had of late, eliminated all of the blame.

You are stronger in sight today, I see and feel you clearer.
The guardian figure of my mind on that cliff, steering me nearer.
Nearer and closer, harder and faster, she knows where to send me.
Off to the races I go, trusting in the shadows and in the light, it is, most definitely,
to be.

Musical Tears

~ Emma ~ Leave a comment

You snuck in to come find me.
I’m leaving, moving, there’s another place I need to be.
The music is loud, pumping dramatic beats.
I can see you over there, you are scanning the crowd, my body heats.

“He’s here, he wants to talk to you, say a last goodbye.” Says a friend of mine.
“I don’t think I can, it’s too hard, I’m a mess, what if…I think I just need a sign.”
“He is your sign, he showed up tonight, he knows you’re leaving, he’s only here for you, you can do this, it’s only nine.”
“Ok, can you stay close when he comes, I need to know you’re here, just don’t listen but be near.”

The colourful light beams frolicking throughout this massive, high ceiling room.
Chest is heavy, mind is spinning, I want to dance but I’m staring at you from a distance, you search the crowd for my gaze, I cannot swoon.
Deep breath, boom, your piercing denim blues finally match my zoom.
Our eyes are locked, you put down your drink and push your way through the sea of fantastical dancing souls to come to me.
In this secret little corner, I am to cry very soon.

The DJ changes his tune something earthy and mysterious now, this is my vibing.
Your walk to me feels like it’s taking a decade, your eyes are sweet and you’re smiling.
I can hear them already, the descriptive way your blues speak, they say, “please stay, I know you won’t, I know you can’t, but please know I think of you every single day.”
You’re here now, at the table I sit, you across from me, I can’t stay still, I must shift.

Elbows on the table, forearms down, your palms face up in front of us. I know this move, your usual gesture.
It says with such clarity and ease, “Put your hands in mine, I am open, safe and here to listen to all that you say.”
I slowly bring my hands to meet yours knowing the second we touch, this interaction, much harder. I will keep my words steady and continue on my way.

Your eyes reaching inside, they always find my soul with every breath, every loud pause,
never leaving mine, not even for a second to look around, to be distracted. You calmly ask about the cause.
I try to explain, both of our palms now sweaty, holding tighter. I tell you how I am broken down by the laws.
The kind and loving way you listen and hold my shaking hands, you don’t see my flaws.

I can’t bear to look away from you for soon our eyes will never meet again.
I’m soaking this up, relishing, dancing in your gaze, devouring every blink trying to make them tandem, so I never miss a thing.
We are surrounded by a sea of loud movement yet, the room feels empty and quiet, very still.
The beats pulsing our blood, the music consuming our veins, we are a thrill.

I must convey my gratitude, my love and my pain.
You haven’t said much, I know you’re waiting and feeling quite slain.
The way you’re looking at me tonight is different, it’s desperate to make me stay.
I am stepping towards a future of new, a new day with a new way.

The tears pooling in your eyes, one, two, three drops as they fall down your dewy, glowing cheeks. You’re still smiling, but crying a soft tune.
I want to brush the tears from your face, I want to kiss them and taste the salty liquid of you one more time.
My heart can’t take this, watching you cry I need to bring you closer so our hearts can break together, and then somehow, attempt to take off and fly.

My mind searches for a memory we shared,
to take me away just for a moment from this present hurt.
That time you were so sweaty and frazzled and I tore off your shirt.
I inch closer, you pull me in a bit, I lean, I can’t help but let you hold me harder and nearer, but there cannot be an ounce of flirt or the slightest scene.
Except it’s too late, our souls were meant to roll around in the sun and in the dirt. What does it all mean?

Your hand reaches over to my face, cups my chin and my cheek softly, your head leans to one side.
This body language of surrender and acceptance amidst the chaos from this stormy tide.
Our hands part, leave one another for the last time.
Am I making a mistake? No. I am not ok, but I am going to be just fine.

I could stare at your face all night but I need to push you away now, so I can regain and recenter my sight.
You stand up to leave and I stay sitting.
My heart is beating too fast, I’m panicking and losing my might.
You come around the table towards me, this is fitting, I think I’m tripping, it’s a fright.

Standing beside me now eyes still locked, I can sense you’re thinking, wondering…I feel rocked.
Your breathing is short, your chest raising fast, the light quickly shines on us, one bold move and your hands grip my face, our lips collide, our tongues embrace.
This feels necessary, it’s perfect, to have this kiss to end the night.
It feels sad and painful, with yearning, but it’s nothing less than very right.

Our lips glued together like magnetic fields,
I know we have to stop, slow down,
I didn’t have time to reach for and hold up my shield.
Oh well, let this kiss imprint my body and soul. Let it drip with emotion and passion and then let it roam.
Let it run, keep going, harder, sweeter, longer, more, because when we stop, I will let go and I will go home.

Your hands leave my face and our lips depart.
You step away, tears still inside your heart.
No more words, just intense stares.
Five, six, seven seconds pass, you don’t look away, so full of care.
You hesitate to turn, try to walk away but something is holding you, I want you to share, I want you to say.
I want you to stay, I want you to walk away.

You wipe the wet from your eyes and turn your back to me in a strange disguise.
Thank you sweet man, you are forever a treasure that felt much like a prize.
Here we go now we can rise above the clouds and the stars because we know now the highs and the tries and what is forever ours.
Watching you disappear into the crowd, the music knows that it’s over.
I am alone now, sitting here with my wise and my cries. Then…one last look, over your shoulder.