******a Tribute To Butterflies! Poem by RAJ NANDY

A TRIBUTE TO BUTTERFLIES!

We have all read many colorful poems about
butterflies,
And I have also written one or two;
But today through my verse, let me share a
few secrets with you!
For butterflies are elfin-like creatures, they never
stayed in Pandora’s Box,
But they demonstrated the art of transformation, -
An enduring lesson for humans - they taught! #

In those early days in Europe, they were called
‘butter-colored fly’,
With their silent fluttering wings, became known
as Butterflies!
They belong to the order ‘Lepidoptera’, a Greek
word for ‘scaly wings’;
They love to kiss the Spring flowers, -
And those flowers begin to dance and sing!
The iridescence of their radiant wings,
Come from thousands of overlapping scales,
Which creates the vivid colors with variety, -
For their species to endure and prevail!
These combination of colors, protect them from
predators and birds,
And aid in their courtship rituals, with its hovering
and encircling dance!
They weigh as light as two rose petals, with a
life-span rather brief,
Yet they have time enough to laugh and love, -
A joyous life they all complete!
They crave the warmth of the radiant sun,
Since they lack our metabolic heat!
With body temperature below 86 degrees these
creatures, -
Remain grounded on their six feet!
Like those classical Greek Gods, they feed on
nectar and honey too,
Through long straw-like structures called proboscis, -
They sip up a drink or two! @
A healthy eco-system is needed for the butterflies
to survive,
Let us promote a clean environment if we want to
save their lives!
The metamorphosis of butterflies, is one of
Nature’s wondrous things;
Why not draw a lesson here dear friends, - #
To transform into better human beings? !
-Raj Nandy
09 Nov 09
New Delhi

FOOT NOTES: -
There are over 28,000 know species of Butterflies!
@Proboscis = is a long tube-like structure which folds up like a
water hose and is used as mouth! Their taste sensors are located
in their feet, where also the pollens from flowers stick! This helps
in cross fertilization & propagation of new seeds & plants and also
genetic mutation! They have compound eyes and can see ultra-
violet light! Found mostly in the tropical countries with plenty of
flora & fauna! Wing span vary from less than one inch to 12 inches!
Life span can vary from days to a few months! From egg to caterpillar
to pupa & finally to a butterfly is = Metamorphosis, a miracle of Nature! #
*****ALL COPY RIGHTS ARE RESERVED BY RAJ NANDY*****