I saw a red admiral today. It sat on a tree branch outside my window.
Butterflies are not frequent guests here. In fact, I can’t recall ever seeing one around,
but I guess that’s the gist of living in a city. I remember that in my childhood
they were everywhere, but it was a different time and place, and we had a garden
that attracted them, the large white in particular because of the cabbage beds.
Perhaps if I went outside the city, to the countryside, to the meadows,
I would have better luck, but it’s so much hassle, I just couldn’t bother.
And it’s probably better that way, to leave nature to itself, intact by my shoe soles,
and every once in a while be surprised by an unexpected visitor.
You learn to appreciate those rare encounters better.