UNDERSTANDING THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

by Kitty Tooher

My wings were clipped years ago
but here I am flapping endlessly
hopeful this will stir a wanting in you

presumably you're halfway through
  your Thai Buffet on a second date
she's telling you about her
  sophomore roommate at Drexel
you're interested but not intrigued
slurping down a noodle covered in
  sauce and
remembering how I remarked on
  the mustache between peanut
  halves

I'm miles away with this fever of
  longing, hot with concentration,
halfway through a dark brown beer
  and remembering how you
  remarked on the stains a strong
  brew leaves in the glass
because I have absolutely nothing
  left but hope,
another thing I should have lost to
  adolescence

if a butterfly can inspire a tornado
  on the other side of the globe
I can make you love me across
  Philadelphia--
a butterfly doesn't long for sharing
  the yellow morning of a tornado
or the intimacy of sleeping in it
a butterfly doesn't ache from the
  very center for the eye of a tornado

we have a better chance,
  you and I
because I am more determined
  than a butterfly
and you are no less devastating
  than a tornado