The California Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly is maybe an inch and a half (at most) in length. It’s very tiny and one of the most beautiful butterflies I’ve ever seen. I grew up near the beach in this area of California and I remember as a child being totally smitten by this beautiful little creature. The top color is an iridescent periwinkle blue, and the under-wing is bright silver with piercing black dots.

I literally wept when I heard they had gone extinct about 12 years ago due to beach front development. I thought of all the butterflies I had forced into jars as a child, so I sat down and wrote a poem. I may not be such a great poet but I hope you understand the heartache I felt when I thought this little butterfly that contributed to so many sweet childhood memories had left the planet forever.

Then a miracle occurred last year; an astute student noticed a small patch of the indigenous flowers (also endangered) that this little butterfly lives on in an (unbelievably) undeveloped area of the beachfront. Circling the plants was a small colony of the Palos Verdes Blue butterflies that had not been seen for over a decade. Quick action resulted in collecting and protecting these precious survivors and now there are 300 in the colony. Efforts are being made to re-introduce the flower and butterfly back into the environment.

It’s an amazing story and inspirational in so many ways. So, enjoy the butterflies with me and hopefully another generation will enjoy these little blue wonders.

Tribute to a Tiny Blue Butterfly
©Julia Andrus

I’d like to think that when I die
the world will somehow be flatter,
if just for a moment;

and that everyone and everything will
make some adjustment
before carrying on.

That’s what happened today,
when I learned you had become extinct.
I felt your absence.

Some might ask how such a small,
fluttering thing could be important –
but it was to a child
imagining effortless flight and
longing to posses rare and luminous beauty too.

I am ashamed to think of how many times
I forced you into jars for my own pleasure.
You were so beautiful,
I thought I owned you.

I stopped the practice when I realized
you died from beating your fragile wings
against the glassy illusion of freedom.

Extinct!
Imaging that – When I knew you so well;
your extraordinary colors, your giddy dancing flight.
Will anyone miss you like I will?

Gone, gone
and this,
my only contribution
to your immortality.