It happened yesterday afternoon
Outback, ever so slightly beyond the redwood deck
Where coyote brush grows in low profile misshapen clumps
As an after 4pm October sun shone bright
I detected a butterfly
It curiously fluttered down to rest
Exercising its wings then basking like a solar panel
Not moving a bit myself
I used my eyeglassed eyes to focus
Noticing this creature was quite unique
Enough to observe the number 6
In a sort of Papyrus font
Naturally imprinted upon its heavenly wing
As with any flying insect sporting such exotic design
I was disheartened to discover the other wing
Which should be so equally beautiful was damaged
Some of the corresponding 6 was torn away
Mystifyingly though this wee ornamental being
Was still able to fly quite well
From bush to bush with earnest delight
tasting something at every pause
Or maybe... depositing eggs to christen a new generation
After I watched for twenty plus minutes
Number 6 ventured north out of sight