Sea Butterflies and Sea Angels

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

Sea butterflies come swirled, gel left and right,

In spiralled shells that oppositely twirl

In corkscrew loveliness, some in slight

And spin, a sinister calcium furl

Unfurling while the others each are gyre

That upwards twists to clearest gorgeousness

So sensuous that all of these inspire

A reverence angels know.  A perfectness

Transparent in its awe-inspiring force

Though such small sweeps can only be perceived

Through microscopes.  This beauty has pure source.

You think that you are crystal-sea deceived.

  One clear sea angel swims too near the swirls

    And chomps them down as if it gulps winged pearls.

© Phillip Whidden