First Bloom

The Rio Grande runs through the desert and creates this ribbon of lush life which is very dreamy to haunt, and I made it my habit to visit on a weekly basis and stay for several hours. One morning in early spring I turned up at my usual perch and noticed at some small distance from me a yellow flower, the very first bloom of spring. It lifted my heart to see it there, and in my head I sort of spontaneously burst into a song of welcome and admiration which I directed at this flower. Just as I was wrapping up my song, this blossom lifted itself up from its plant, and flew away.

Yes, I know - it was a butterfly all along, or had to be, based on the well-known scientific principle that you can't sing a blossom into a butterfly.