butterflies

the words fly from his mouth
like insane butterflies
floating away on warm currents
of whispers that go unheard
he stands on a broken ladder
balanced on a rickety wall
he climbs a rung higher
to be heard by one and all
and the man speaks of truth
and lies and dreams and fears
of anyone who'd lend him
their attention and their ears
but people ignore him
just another madman
throw some food at him
maybe that will shut him up
but the butterflies still fly
invisible and light
they get tangled in the thoughts
of people passing by
another madman is transfixed
by this dance of butterflies
he falls in love on the street
with a girl who's passing by
as she brushes back her hair
all tangled with butterflies