"I've watched you now a full half-hour"

I've watched you now a full half-hour;
Self-poised upon that yellow flower
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless!--not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers;
Here rest your wings when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we were young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.

"Stay near me"

Footnotes

  1. The breeze is personified as having the ability to "call forth" the butterfly, attributing human-like qualities to a natural element, enhancing the sense of connection between nature and the living being.

    — Allegra Keys, Owl Eyes Editor

  2. This is the use of alliteration, which is used several times throughout the poem.

    — Allegra Keys, Owl Eyes Editor

  3. The reminiscence of "summer days, when we were young" evokes a nostalgic tone, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the precious memories associated with childhood.

    — Allegra Keys, Owl Eyes Editor

  4. The reminiscence of "summer days, when we were young" evokes a nostalgic tone, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the precious memories associated with childhood.

    — Allegra Keys, Owl Eyes Editor

  5. The speaker begins the poem by employing an apostrophe--a literary device to mean when the person or object being discussed isn’t present.

    — Allegra Keys, Owl Eyes Editor