Kissed by an Angel
Inching down the trail toward Iguacu Falls,
each switchback revealed a new vista.
Another cascade of flashing red-brown water
crashed hundreds of feet below into the chasm.
“Bill, look at this.”
Joey, 75 feet on the trail below,
pointed at her bosom.
Barely discernible, a butterfly,
dressed in its splendor of iridescent blues,
browns, and white trim,
perched on her breast , still as death.
Forward, slowly, the movie camera focused,
I zoomed in.
Only feet away, still focused on this motionless marvel, I stopped.
Wings spread a full five inches,
it clung to the printed flower on Joey’s Washington State T-shirt.
Was the butterfly just visiting Washington State?
Or just resting on that comfortable bit of anatomy?
To Joey’s delight, the marvelous creature
continued to pose for the camera.
Was this an angel in disguise?
Using its wings for balance, it remained perched.
More minutes passed, Joey beaming,
I captured her radiant smile on film.
with roaring water of the falls an inspiring backdrop.
Beautiful gossamer wings began gently to wave,
and, with a flutter,
the apparition rose and disappeared into the mist,
perhaps to visit and delight another lucky visitor
who would be kissed by an angel.
Bill Morton Ed.D. is a retired educator of 30 years, living in Edmonds since 1984, married 28 years to JoAnn Stevens—also an educator—deceased June 19, 2013. Memoir book My Joey and Me in press.
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