There they stood on the fire escape

I relate so well to their situation

My station set in empathy

Like me, they have endured so much

Couldn’t touch them for fear of them jumping

Couldn’t bring help to help me handle

The muddle that may have been pending

Was thinking what could I do?

I knew I couldn’t keep them there forever

I’d never gain their trust

I just needed another minute

Had to get it without scaring my new friend

To that end, I leaned back into my window

“Don’t go,” I thought

Brought back what I needed

And greeted them with a click and a flash

So rash was I

I said bye as they, the beautiful butterfly

Fluttered by and disappeared

As I feared they would