“By Nature” by Lucia Butterfield ’25

She embraced him gently but he sent Her tumbling against a rock. She wished now more than ever That she could simply talk.

“Leave me alone, you cannot love me,” The man sourly said. “Love me, love me,” she cried. But he shrank from her instead.

Red cloth billowing in the breeze, The man broke into a sprint. He left behind a crying Echo And fading footprints.

Echo remained for the rest of her life In the forest, roaming around. Until her spirit wilted and all That was left was an echo sound.

The man, Narcissus, found himself Alone. It was easier to think. In his peripheral he eyed a pond Where he would go to drink.

As he bent down to sip some water A gorgeous man seemed to appear. He smiled back when Narcissus smiled And sighed the same. It was clear

Narcissus was finally in love. He let slip a joyful tear. But it distorted his lover and His heart filled with fear.

Nobody shared his beauty. His lover was a reflection. He would never live a life with love, A life with affection.

He dunked his head beneath the surface And didn’t ever rise. His beauty held no power as he was Mocked by the skies.

And so the story goes, on his Stomach Narcissus settles. Breathing in his place grows A flower with pale petals.

Lucia Butterfield ’25, drawing