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Last Flight

I picked up the dead butterfly

lying by the side of the road.

There were many others, too,

with no more life in them.

 

I placed the one in my hand on top of a flower,

for the comfort of familiar surroundings.

A more dignified resting place to share 

its delicate finery for just a while longer.

 

— Michael Anthony, May 21, 2026

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: San Francisco Bay Area - USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Bukowski, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Haiku & Harvey Kurtzman (a visual poet, of sorts)

More from this author

Critiques

neopoet

neopoet

2 weeks 1 day ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:

This poem gently captures a moment of quiet reflection on mortality and the small acts of kindness we extend even to the most fragile and transient lives. The imagery of the dead butterfly and its delicate placement on a flower evokes a poignant contrast between death and beauty, emphasizing the desire to honor what is lost.

To deepen the emotional resonance, consider varying the rhythm or line length to mirror the fragility and fleeting nature of the butterfly’s existence. For example, shorter lines might convey fragility, while longer lines could reflect the contemplative mood. Additionally, exploring more sensory details—such as the texture of the butterfly’s wings or the scent of the flower—could enrich the scene and invite readers to engage more fully with the moment.

The phrase “delicate finery” is evocative, but the poem might benefit from more precise or original language to avoid common metaphors. Experimenting with unique descriptors or unexpected imagery could make the poem’s meditation on death and dignity more striking.

Finally, the poem’s structure is straightforward and clear, which suits its quiet tone. However, the use of the blank lines (represented here as  ) could be reconsidered to enhance pacing or to emphasize particular images or emotions. Overall, the poem offers a thoughtful snapshot that could be deepened through more vivid sensory detail and nuanced language choices.

Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to our contact form.

Geezer

Geezer

2 weeks ago

I was thinking...

that the last line might be something like: 

[its delicacy, on a proper funeral bier.] something like that... great little story of someone who has walked many miles alongside of a road/highway. ~ Geez.