A Sign by Michael Keshigian

It appeared as an illuminated shadow,

a small translucent image

that resembled 

a distorted monarch butterfly

accentuated by the light

of the colorful stained glass windows

the sun’s warm rays penetrated.

It distracted him as he spoke

for it leapt from the open casket

while he eulogized,

circling the pews,

flying between the many candles

then finally ascending toward 

the church rafters

where it rested and posed for a while.

Eventually, it fluttered

toward the ceiling

then evaporated through the roof.

He attempted to regain his focus,

curtail the measure of astonishment

that instigated a vocal tremor

while he continued to speak

in morbid tones

that befit the scenario,

but as he gazed into the eyes

of the distressed onlookers,

he hoped one day

they would read these words

to share his glee.

Michael Keshigian, from New Hampshire, had his twelfth poetry collection, Into The Light, released in April, 2017 by Flutter Press. He has been published in numerous national and international journals including Oyez Review, Red River Review, Sierra Nevada College Review, Oklahoma Review, Chiron Review and has appeared as feature writer in over a twenty publications with 6 Pushcart Prize and 2 Best Of The Net nominations. (michaelkeshigian.com)