Celastrina!

That’s the scientific name for Spring Azure butterflies, the tiny blue ones you usually only see for a day or two in April. Today I saw several bursts of them. So it’s time to post Frost’s poem again! I’m sure I’ve put it up here before.

I remember the kind of day Frost is describing in his poem Blue Butterfly Day, where the little blues seemed to be everywhere you looked! It’s been a while since I’ve seen them that ubiquitous. today may be about the climax of their frolic here. They only live a few days and they spend the time mating, “riding out desire” as Frost puts it.

“It is blue butterfly day here in Spring,

And with these sky-flakes down in flurry on flurry

There is more unmixed color on the wing

Than flowers will show for days unless they hurry.

But these are flowers that fly, and seem to sing!

And now, from having ridden out desire,

They lie closed over in the wind, and cling

Where wheels have freshly sliced the April mire. “

….it’s all there: their celestial color, “sky-flakes is perfect—the “flurry” of their exuberant flight, their love of mud and puddles….and indeed they beat the flowers to it, today I saw no more than a very few small, bright yellow blossoms.

I hope you all see some! And if you do, think of Robert Frost—and of me!