蝶の枝 (Chō no Eda) by Lori Yamamoto

[Verse 1] Butterflies dancing On warm breeze below where I sit He calls me down now But branch holds me safe in the spring How few are left, I watch them float by [Verse 2] I sit on plum branch White petals falling around me He asks me to dance Beneath the wide sky where they wheel Three pairs remain in soft light today [Verse 3] His voice reaches up Gentle pleading through the blossoms Come down, he says, come Do not be shy, seize this moment But branch feels familiar under me [Verse 4] I watch him waiting Patient as butterflies circle My heart feels pulled down But my hands hold tight to rough bark What if I fall? What if I fly? [Verse 5] The last pair lands now Their brief dance ending on flowers He lifts his hand up No more delays, he whispers soft Come dance with me in fading days light [Verse 6] Branch holds me gently Like mother's arms when I was small But butterflies show That dancing is also a way To be held up by something new [Verse 7] My fingers loosen White petals fall with my held breath One foot extends down Toward his waiting hand below me Maybe I can be butterfly too