I was in the third gradecollecting badges
and A pluses on papers that didn't matter.
I lined the cigar box,
ever just so,
Tipparillos gone,
with black velvet from the hem
of my Mama's dress,
and laid them to rest there....
the butterflies....
The glue didn't stick
and the teacher,
Miss Swanson,
"fixed" them for the fair....
I couldn't wait....
my torn pink ticket in my pocket,
to see my butterflies and the ribbon
she promised me....
But,
all I remember
are the green and gold and blue and red
hatpins through their hearts.....
