I caught a butterfly

As a child roaming the yard

A regal monarch

Orange and black

And brilliant in the sun

And so i kept it in a jar

Like so much treasure

Hidden in my room

Under my bed

Where I tried to care for it

But it faded in its prison

No matter the love i poured

Until one day

I found it dead

And i have tried my best never

To catch a butterfly again

For fear of killing

The beautiful things