Several years ago, I wrote a poem for one of my very best friends. She loves butterflies, so that was my theme.
On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Janet left her caterpillar life behind, and I was inspired to write a follow-up poem for her. Here are both poems:

Butterfly Friends

We are friends, you and I,

Living our caterpillar days.

We share laughter

We shed tears

We sob out grief

We confess fears

There are times we cocoon

Into our own lives,

Busy with family

Other friends

Life in general.

Still, a telephone call will find

Someone who cares, ready to

Shoulder burdens

Share blessings

Lend a hand.

The best part of our friendship

Is knowing that the future

Holds no caterpillar days.

There will be no worry to share

Tears to cry

Frustrations to endure.

We will have

New bodies

New lives

New joy

This caterpillar life left behind,

We will be butterfly friends.

Forever.

Sara Ray  2008

Butterfly Friends Forever

We are friends, you and I,

Yet you are no longer living out your caterpillar days.

There will be no more shared laughter

And the tears are all mine.

My grief seems overwhelming since

You left your fears behind.

Life’s chrysalis is yours no more

Mine is still ongoing,

Distracting me with the

Busyness of

Everyday living.

Telephone calls are a thing of the past,

For you are no longer

Here to receive them.

Our friendship has changed

In a dramatic way.

You have found your future

Of no caterpillar life,

And one day I will find mine.

You are free of worry

Free of tears

Free of frustration.

You have found

New life

A new body

New joy.

There will come a day when I will

Leave my caterpillar days behind.

Yours, however, have met their end,

So spread your wings,

My butterfly friend!

Sara Ray 2021