Green and Gold

Inspired by the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly

A flash of colour –
‘Jalngay Ngahriyan:’ dancing lights.
Embers made of green and gold fill the sky.

This is a banner we claim. In our homes,
in our hearts. We, who have no wings, yet long to fly.
We who watch for dancing lights
and find them fading.

Dream, call the dreamers. See them fly again.
Act, cry the fighters. Make it possible.
But I –
I am somewhere in between, holding on to
the thought of dying embers, and trying
to light a fire with mere words.

Do you see? A flash of colour – dancing lights –
I pray, may it not be the last of its kind.
May there still be colour on the wings of tomorrow.