tattered blue wings butterfly (Thomas Quine)‘Tattered’: A Poem by Venessa Lee-Estevez The Society October 18, 2024 Beauty, Poetry 13 Comments . Tattered I watched a butterfly today, grappling with the barbarous breeze. She was suspended and entrapped under a canopy of trees. Her tattered wing was on display, a tragedy for all to see. Descending onto blades of grass, so frail and weak she seemed to be. But then she strove to rise again and fought the wicked wind with grace, then fluttered away suddenly, as the tears glistened on my face. For I was moved by her desire, the struggle fought to be set free. Ambitions are like butterflies and they persist inside of me. . . Venessa Lee-Estevez has been an educator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida for over 21 years. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. 13 Responses Jeremiah Johnson October 18, 2024 “Ambitions are like butterflies” – I like the irony of that line, in that most people would read that as a statement about the frailty of human ambitions – but you turn that notion on its head! Reminds me of one time I got in my car and saw a butterfly on the hood of my car. As I pulled onto an interstate onramp and accelerated, the butterfly, its wings whipping about in the wind, remained fastened to the hood of the car and stuck with me until I parked at my destination twenty minutes later. So yes! Butterflies are gutsy 🙂 Reply Venessa Lee-Estevez October 18, 2024 Thank you so much for your kind words! My name means butterfly, and I consider myself to be gutsy in many ways. They are still able to fly, even with a tattered wing. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Reply Jeremiah Johnson October 18, 2024 “Ambitions are like butterflies” – I like the irony of that line, in that most people would read that as a statement about the frailty of human ambitions (See Emily Dickinson’s “Go Not too Near a House of Rose”) – but you turn that notion on its head! Reminds me of one time I got in my car and saw a butterfly on the hood of my car. As I pulled onto an interstate onramp and accelerated, the butterfly, its wings whipping about in the wind, remained fastened to the hood of the car and stuck with me until I parked at my destination twenty minutes later. So yes! Butterflies are gutsy 🙂 Reply Roy Eugene Peterson October 18, 2024 Precious poem written so well and with a meaningful message that is uplifting. Reply Venessa Lee-Estevez November 10, 2024 Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words. Reply Gigi Ryan October 18, 2024 Dear Venessa, You have beautifully captured the scene and made a comparison that is quite valid. As I reread the poem, I considered how, sometimes, our ambitions are also tattered and on display, a humbling experience. Your poem points out that success is not always rooted in visible strength but on an inner fortitude. I am encouraged to press on in my own feebleness. Thank you. Gigi Reply Venessa Lee-Estevez November 10, 2024 Thank you for your beautiful analysis. I have undergone a physical transformation this past year and I was really trying to capture my feelings of determination. Reply Paul A. Freeman October 18, 2024 Reminds me of the story of Robert the Bruce and the spider that won’t give up till it’s spun its web. Thanks for the read, Vanessa. Reply Margaret Brinton October 20, 2024 Venessa, This poem is a lovely metaphor that expresses the determination we each have within us to overcome adversities. Reply Venessa Lee-Estevez November 10, 2024 Thank you so much! I have been through some trying times this past year, so I wanted to reflect those emotions. Reply Margaret Coats October 21, 2024 A touching drama and a pertinent comparison, Venessa. The ending is natural, yet not entirely expected. You don’t note why frailty and weakness succeeded–all the more encouraging to cherished ambitions, whatever they may be. Reply Shamik Banerjee October 26, 2024 What’s great about this poem is that it not only draws the reader in with its vivid and well-presented scenes but also tactfully wraps the event up and transitions into the finale containing a powerful truth about life. Very well done, Venessa! Reply Venessa Lee-Estevez November 2, 2024 Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Jeremiah Johnson October 18, 2024 “Ambitions are like butterflies” – I like the irony of that line, in that most people would read that as a statement about the frailty of human ambitions – but you turn that notion on its head! Reminds me of one time I got in my car and saw a butterfly on the hood of my car. As I pulled onto an interstate onramp and accelerated, the butterfly, its wings whipping about in the wind, remained fastened to the hood of the car and stuck with me until I parked at my destination twenty minutes later. So yes! Butterflies are gutsy 🙂 Reply
Venessa Lee-Estevez October 18, 2024 Thank you so much for your kind words! My name means butterfly, and I consider myself to be gutsy in many ways. They are still able to fly, even with a tattered wing. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Reply
Jeremiah Johnson October 18, 2024 “Ambitions are like butterflies” – I like the irony of that line, in that most people would read that as a statement about the frailty of human ambitions (See Emily Dickinson’s “Go Not too Near a House of Rose”) – but you turn that notion on its head! Reminds me of one time I got in my car and saw a butterfly on the hood of my car. As I pulled onto an interstate onramp and accelerated, the butterfly, its wings whipping about in the wind, remained fastened to the hood of the car and stuck with me until I parked at my destination twenty minutes later. So yes! Butterflies are gutsy 🙂 Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson October 18, 2024 Precious poem written so well and with a meaningful message that is uplifting. Reply
Gigi Ryan October 18, 2024 Dear Venessa, You have beautifully captured the scene and made a comparison that is quite valid. As I reread the poem, I considered how, sometimes, our ambitions are also tattered and on display, a humbling experience. Your poem points out that success is not always rooted in visible strength but on an inner fortitude. I am encouraged to press on in my own feebleness. Thank you. Gigi Reply
Venessa Lee-Estevez November 10, 2024 Thank you for your beautiful analysis. I have undergone a physical transformation this past year and I was really trying to capture my feelings of determination. Reply
Paul A. Freeman October 18, 2024 Reminds me of the story of Robert the Bruce and the spider that won’t give up till it’s spun its web. Thanks for the read, Vanessa. Reply
Margaret Brinton October 20, 2024 Venessa, This poem is a lovely metaphor that expresses the determination we each have within us to overcome adversities. Reply
Venessa Lee-Estevez November 10, 2024 Thank you so much! I have been through some trying times this past year, so I wanted to reflect those emotions. Reply
Margaret Coats October 21, 2024 A touching drama and a pertinent comparison, Venessa. The ending is natural, yet not entirely expected. You don’t note why frailty and weakness succeeded–all the more encouraging to cherished ambitions, whatever they may be. Reply
Shamik Banerjee October 26, 2024 What’s great about this poem is that it not only draws the reader in with its vivid and well-presented scenes but also tactfully wraps the event up and transitions into the finale containing a powerful truth about life. Very well done, Venessa! Reply
Venessa Lee-Estevez November 2, 2024 Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. Reply
