I’m not particularly squeamish

            Nor sentimental

 

            The array of Lepidoptera,

            The term my host preferred,

            Relishing the syllables on his tongue,

            Made an impressive register

 

            Neat as a multiplication table

            And far more colourful

 

            I was, I admit, fascinated,

            Especially by the scales,

            Their role in brilliance, flight,

            Camouflage and even scent

 

            Nothing of which we’d know,

            He patiently explained,

            Had we not taken the trouble

            To capture and affix

 

            It was the pinning down,

            I mused, that led to wisdom

 

            Of course another point of view

            Would show that butterflies,

            Like lovers,

            Were never at their best

 

            At rest