A Thousand Butterflies

One thousand bright live butterflies are trapped inside of me

They would look so beautiful if anyone could see

They're hostage to an unknown foe whose ransom can't be paid

Imprisoned by mistakes I didn't realize I had made

So few know that they exist that I am left alone

To try to free the butterflies from prison on my own

In my heart are great things I could do or learn or say

But lack the strength to do because I gave too much away

I failed to use good judgment while I thought that I'd done right

And now don't know if this would be a battle worth the fight

If the butterflies were set free would anybody care

Or should I just give up and let the butterflies die there

September 21, 2012

#poetry