A mighty monarch sets off to fly
held aloft in the warm night sky
wings tired, dusty and worn
she sets off on the path her life has sworn
back to an old oak tree

fighting the breeze she struggles along
these last moments she must be strong
ever alert she flies on
she looks for the right spot, shes almost done
here on her old oak tree

a quick scan of the night horizon
makes sure shes safe, she has begun
her patch of pearly eggs laid
and soon her final debts to life is paid
to her old oak tree

she checks her work, before she retires
she settles down, oh how she tires
flitting wings, her role complete
she starts to drowse into her final sleep
resting warm on her old oak tree

moments pass before she passes on
in this life, shes finally done
and in death, drifting on by
she flutters on up into the souls sky
away from that old oak tree

eyes gloss over, her wings droop down
legs slip her off down to the ground
stilled now only in body
the sky weeps for her in sorrow and joy
raining down on that old oak tree

although one life gone, many begin
waiting for life they stir within
the eggs so carefully laid
under that leaf, so much attention paid
to the care of the old oak tree

and so time passes on, as it will
the wind begins to lose its chill
birds chirp and the crickets sing
and flowers scent signals the dawn of spring
leaves shine green on the old oak tree

the suns light touches upon those eggs
opens the door their hearts so beg
soon they burst forth into life
through the eggs shell like a warm butterknife
nestled in the old oak tree

the caterpillars all venture out
into this great big world without
any taint or any fear
and nobody to help their lives to steer
'round the branches of that old oak tree

with instinct as their guide they learn fast
study with care or they'll not last
long in this world of pred and prey
some see no longer than a single day
in the leaves of that old oak tree

one lone cater' sets out on her own
drops from that oak tree down below
into the grass, a new world
to explore, this lone cater has been hurled
at the roots of that old oak tree

open sky punctuated by cloud
wonder and danger sings aloud
the cater' sits, looks upon
to this wide green world that she has been drawn
in the shade of the old oak tree

in this grassy world she eats and eats
into the night, the sun retreats
gorging as her instinct says
'til she grows big enough for cater' ways
under the watchful eye of the old oak tree

that cater eats, that cater grows fat
big and strong, in the grass for that
which she must prepare, and more
if she's to follow her mother before
in this world of the old oak tree

finally satisfied with her store
sets off to look for something more
led by an impulsive urge
to shift, to change, in her this will does surge
back up into the old oak tree

she crawls to the perfect branch of choice
the joy she'd cry had she a voice
to work, shes on a mission
to devour her body, melt to mush in
the cocoon on the old oak tree

off to sleep, body dissolved inside
that crysalis her soul confides
she trusts her instinct that she
will be reborn with wings, so it must be
held safe in that old oak tree

and again time flies, like she will soon
emerge by the light of the moon
once again she bursts open
that which had prior been envelopin'
her body, hanging from the old oak tree

she pulls herself out with grace and care
leaving her shell empty and bare
and clings to the branch to dry
fanning out her wings so soon she may fly
out into the night over the old oak tree

as soon as she may, she then takes flight
into the sky, day follows night
warm under the sun, she flies
among the flock of other flutters she tries
to fit in above the old oak tree

watching all the males flutter and dance
a feeling takes hold, heres her chance
she judges with scrutiny
for only the best for her will there be
to take his gift back to the old oak tree

a lovers flight, she's chosen the one
for this chapter in life shes spun
they fly in sultry embrace
spyraling up into the sky they chase
the sun shining over the old oak tree

a short moments bliss stretched forever
such strong love makes her a mother
their lock broken, she flies away
to begin the rest of her final day
fluttering tired over to the old oak tree

A mighty monarch sets off to fly
held aloft in the warm night sky
wings tired, dusty and worn
she sets off on the path her life has sworn
back to an old oak tree