DDCPoetry

The title blends into the first line.  I wasn't prepared for that on the second read.  I know the title informs the poem, but I was so struck with the first line: "A real one wouldn't need one" because the construction makes sense, but the line break makes me focus on "one."   The butterfly is one The parachute is one This is followed up with further clarification of the set-up, "but the one Nathan draws surely does:" this statement make me think that Nathan is someone young and close to the speaker.  What's also important with this line is that it focuses on Nathan being a creator who has a belief that a butterfly needs a parachute in this particular drawing: four oblongs the size and color of popsicles, green apple, toasted coconut and grape, flanked, two per side, by billowing valentine hearts, In a frame of Scotch tape. Even though the picture is that of a butterfly with parachute note how the descriptions seem to revolve around food "...

Original poem reprinted online here: "Butterfly with Parachute" by Stephen Burt Originally read: March 29, 2013 More information about the Poet: Stephen Burt I keep going back in my head about why I chose this poem.  Yes, I look at my notes and past me wrote things like, "Description of drawing based on food, a bit child-like, young, innocent."  This type of description does go along with the context of the poem.  However, the poem doesn't hold up for me the second read through. Saccharine comes to mind after I reread this poem. Anyway, the parallel structure of the poem is heavily implied.  "Butterfly with Parachute" should go line by line with "A real one wouldn't need one,"  I point this out since the structure is parallel, then the way the poem is read has to be in that parallel structure.  "A real <parachute> wouldn't need <butterfly>."  So, from here the focus will be the butterfly and why this particular b...