Jennifer missed her old life so much, that she decided

To go back home just once more.

She felt the twin emotions of clamour of excitement and regret flutter up

Like a trapped butterfly released from a keeper’s net

To enjoy the remains of a beautiful summer’s day.

 

She had stayed away, too frightened and too ashamed

Of her mistake, so small yet so blown up

Out of proportion that she was made to feel

Disgraced and bitter for a system that

Had let her be run out of town.

 

Now both her long journeys were ending.

Her make-up covered the tears but could not

Disguise the vice like grip death had held on her.

She took a series of short stubborn breaths

And told the past to have some patience.

 

The bus ground to a halt outside the cinema

Where she first flirted with and then dated the seemingly impossible.

Outside in the fresh open air she breathed in

Deep and smiling she walked along the road to her home

Where she would let the butterfly go free.

 

Ian D. Hall

A version of this poem was originally published in A Greyhound Tale.