WELCOME HOME

In this morning's garden
a most lavish butterfly
of velvet brown and corn yellow,
a messenger, perhaps
from your spirit winging ahead,
too eager for droning engines.
Now, here on the ground,
I feel that butterfly in my heart
fluttering to greet you--
what if the green hills and blue flowers
are not enough for such an event?
Across miles and miles of sky and field
laced with silver water ribbons...
Ah! the world comes on butterfly wings!
Grand daughter, how wonderful you are.

--Barbara Smith Stoff