The Butterfly

"Trade me a memory" the butterfly said,
"A memory that's heavy and harsh
And I'll sit and I'll listen and try my sweet best
To lighten the load on your heart"
So he told her of struggles, of heartache and pain
And he cried as he spoke them aloud
For it wasn't one memory but lots of the same
That were, all of them, weighing him down
He spoke of a place full of darkness and fear
A tunnel devoid of all hope
Then the spots on her wings deftly captured his tears
And softly and gently she spoke
"Thanks for the memories " the butterfly said
Then she gave him a butterfly kiss
Then she took a deep breath as she wistfully sighed
And then traded her memories for his
"I've always been me but not always like this
There was once were I thought I had died
I was shrouded in darkness 'til I grew my wings
See, I needed the darkness to fly"
BH