A few years ago, on a run, I saw a bright orange spot on the road. I stopped to investigate, and realized it was the forewing and hindwing of a Viceroy. I'm never able to leave butterfly wings behind, so I picked them up and carefully carried them home where they lay tucked away in a drawer for a while.
And then inspiration struck in the form of a poem:
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things.
to love what is mortal
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it
and when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
-Mary Oliver
This poem hits me hard. There are people and creatures in my life that I love so deeply that the though of letting them go- of that "time" coming- it takes my breath away.
There was something about this poem that made me want to create a little shrine to the fallen butterfly, and a little reminder to the wearer. A reminder to LOVE those people and creatures that are dear to you- to not take them for granted, because our time here is limited. Call if you can call. Pet if you can pet.
Hold them. While you still can. Because someday you'll have to let go.
Etched brass and sterling, hand pierced and sawed. A thin sheet of mica is riveted behind the wings. On a 28" sterling chain with handmade clasp and a section of hand drawn beaded sterling wire (reminiscent of a caterpillar)