A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Persistence Speaks—a poem by Bette A. Stevens

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Persistence Speaks—a poem by Bette A. Stevens

Nature has so many lessons to teach us and here’s one among the many I’ve learned from the butterflies.

Persistence Speaks

by Bette A. Stevens

Persistence speaks—Do not give up
And why should we comply
The answer’s very humbly found
In wings of butterflies

A tiny egg begins its tasks
Of monumental span
To metamorphose sundry times
Before it understands

The goal which seems impossible
Before the toil begins
Nets dividends beyond compare
When butterflies earn wings

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Written

on 09/04/2017

Comments on: "Persistence Speaks—a poem by Bette A. Stevens" (64)

  1. Complex intelligence ~ | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    09/28/2017 at 1:35 pm

    […] Oh, the wonder of it all… ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com […]

    Like

  2. Teagan R. Geneviene said:
    09/27/2017 at 8:19 pm

    So true, Bette. Beautifully said too. Hugs.

    Like

  3. Cynthia Reyes said:
    09/15/2017 at 6:41 pm

    Yes! Delightful, Bette.

    Like

  4. Bernadette said:
    09/13/2017 at 7:48 am

    Thank you Bette for sharing your poem at the Salon. It does a great job illustrating the value of persistence.

    Like

  5. mommynificent said:
    09/12/2017 at 11:10 pm

    Lovely as always! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    Like

  6. Shallow Reflections said:
    09/12/2017 at 7:11 am

    Lovely poem, Bette. The line the strikes me is ‘the goal that seems impossible before the toil begins…’ How many times do I feel discouraged before I start something because it seems impossible? Now I’m going to rely on this encouragement to continue to persist!

    Like

  7. robbiesinspiration said:
    09/11/2017 at 2:12 pm

    A lovely poem, Bette, and you are quite right about persistence.

    Like

  8. Aquileana said:
    09/08/2017 at 12:26 am

    This is why I love butterflies 😌⭐️… a very beautiful and moving poem, Bette. Love & best wishes. 😉

    Like

  9. roughwighting said:
    09/07/2017 at 2:51 pm

    I love the rhythm and rhyme of this poem. I think as we can’t see our life ahead of us, the butterfly doesn’t know what she’s going to go through either. I think there’s a reason for that! Yet, we still persist day after day. XO

    Like

  10. Baydreamer said:
    09/07/2017 at 10:28 am

    Lovely imagery using butterflies, Bette; yet, a wonderful metaphor for humans challenging themselves and reaping the rewards after their persistence pays off. Have a good day, Lauren ❤

    Like

  11. macjam47 said:
    09/07/2017 at 8:13 am

    What a beautiful poem about the Monarchs, Bette! Love and hugs.

    Like

  12. Carol A. Hand said:
    09/06/2017 at 5:11 pm

    So beautiful, Bette!

    Like

  13. literaryeyes said:
    09/06/2017 at 12:12 pm

    We had fewer monarchs this year in our yard on the SW Virginia – No’east Tennessee border, sadly. As for persistence, nature tends toward growth, even when it’s predation or decay, or looks like decay. Persistence is a theme of my new book, Racing The Sun #shamelessplug, but it’s persistence toward openness and love rather than control and malice.

    Like

  14. Annika Perry said:
    09/06/2017 at 10:47 am

    Inspiring, beautiful poem, Bette…maybe we should just concentrate on one small step at a time…

    Like

  15. Miss Gentileschi said:
    09/06/2017 at 6:37 am

    Ooops! So,so sorry, Bette, of course!!!!!!

    Like

  16. Miss Gentileschi said:
    09/06/2017 at 6:36 am

    So beautiful and inspiring, Iris! Never give up! Nature´s lessons are so very important to us all. Have a wonderful day! 🙂 xoxo ❤

    Like

  17. jjspina said:
    09/05/2017 at 5:42 pm

    Lovely poem, Bette! Persistence wins the day for anyone who wants to succeed. Blessings & hugs, Janice ❤️

    Like

  18. D. Wallace Peach said:
    09/05/2017 at 5:11 pm

    Lovely poem, Bette. Many of the beautiful things in life wouldn’t happen if not for persistence. Butterflies don’t just sit around looking pretty! 🙂 ❤

    Like

  19. Annette Rochelle Aben said:
    09/05/2017 at 11:14 am

    I so needed to see this today! ❤

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      09/05/2017 at 1:28 pm

      I know just what you mean, Annette. The wisdom of the butterflies keeps me going, even on those days when I really don’t want to ‘go’. Thanks so much for your note and for your awesome support, my friend. Blessings and love! ❤ xo

      Like

  20. Tracy Campbell said:
    09/05/2017 at 10:56 am

    Your “persistence” shows in the words you chose in penning this beautiful butterfly poem, Bette. 😊

    Like

  21. Natalie Ducey said:
    09/05/2017 at 10:47 am

    A beautiful, inspiring piece, Bette! Thank you for sharing this with us. Wishing you a joyful day. 🙂

    Like

  22. -Eugenia said:
    09/05/2017 at 10:18 am

    Beautiful thoughts and a lovely tribute to butterflies, which are one of natures many gifts.

    Like

  23. delphini510 said:
    09/05/2017 at 2:38 am

    Beautiful Bette. Yes, persistence speaks and the end of last stanza sums it up strongly.
    “Nets dividend beyond compare, when butterfly earn wings.”
    miriam

    Like

  24. balroop2013 said:
    09/04/2017 at 10:13 pm

    So true Bette, persistence pays! Keep inspiring dear friend! Beautiful thoughts. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  25. noelleg44 said:
    09/04/2017 at 8:49 pm

    What a wonderful ode to the Monarchs! And I love the last line “…when butterflies earn wings.”

    Like

  26. Marie Hunter Atwood said:
    09/04/2017 at 8:47 pm

    I love to study this creature. Have used the principle in both of my spiritual books and made it a theme in my latest book To Those Who Would Love by comparing the heroine’s maturation to the butterfly’s as metamorphic.
    Love your poem, Bette.

    Like

  27. Mary Rensberry Author at QuickTurtle Books® said:
    09/04/2017 at 7:44 pm

    This is a wonderful tribute to the Monarch butterfly! Thank you, Bette!

    Like

  28. kethuprofumo said:
    09/04/2017 at 7:15 pm

    Wonderful poem, full of light! Great, dear Bette!

    Like

  29. Marilyn Armstrong said:
    09/04/2017 at 7:13 pm

    Do you suppose if the butterfly knew he or she would have to fly almost around the world that he would say “Nope. Not going,”?

    Like

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