- The Parliament of Butterflies
- Was racked by deep division
- Questions of what to teach the young
- Demanded their decision.
- It had been known and taught and thought
- Since butterfly life began
- That butterflies in glory rose
- From their creators mighty hand
- Now some few who this truth mocked
- Had attacked faiths very pillars
- All butterflies, these scientists claimed,
- Came from caterpillars.
- This indecent theory spread
- Into butterfly education,
- Until this caterpillar cult
- Threatened creations revelation.
- The faithful sought to restore the truth
- About the origins of butterflies;
- And to build an absolute moral base,
- To stop the metamorphic lies.
- Believe you descended from some worm
- And wormlike you will be!
- Reasoned those who'd seen faith's light
- And knew there was nothing left to see.
- We see no proof, some butterflies said
- That we are all come from cocoons--
- Unbelievers who would teach this tale
- Are all immoral loons.
- Some said the metamorphous lie
- Was laid by the enemy, they believed,
- Set, like candle flames and windshields,
- To destroy all who were deceived.
- The matter was at last resolved--
- Both theories must be taught--how fine!
- Now all youth can simply decide the truth,
- Each in their own simple butterfly mind.
- Edwin F. Kagin
- August 27, 1999
Last updated: 9 January 2005