Absinthe against peach,

delicate wings flat to my palm.

Quivering feelers,

testing its perch.

My fingers tremble,

aching to close.

A fragile captive,

encased within a gilded cage.

Deep within I realize,

that such beauty cannot be contained.

To do so would take away,

the spirit that makes it so radiant.

The iridescent shades,

play across the wings.

I'm so captivated by the kaleidoscope,

that time seems still.

A flutter of wind,

the creature stirs.

Taking flight from my hand,

to hold another hostage.