If I had to pick a favourite species of butterfly (and I can’t imagine a situation in which I would have to, but let’s go with it) I’m not sure which species I would pick.
Monarchs are impressive and iconic, the Coca-Cola Classic of butterflies. But they’re so common that we might be immune to their beauty. And anyway, are they as beautiful as those glass-winged ones?
And who says our favourite has to be a beautiful one? You’ve gotta love those ones with the big fake eyes on their wings to scare off predators. And the ones that camouflage themselves as dead leaves; I mean when you could have been a butterfly that pretends to be an owl but instead you choose to disguise yourself as decaying organic matter…that takes humility.
No, I think I’ll go with the 88 butterfly. Their wings are a beautiful black and iridescent blue on top, but then the undersides have this crazy 88 pattern that kinda looks like it was written in the same font as the 1968 Mexico Olympics logo.
Check them out here while you listen to this equally beautiful song by Johannes Motschmann.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. The tempo is flexible, making it feel fluttery and slightly aimless, like a butterfly’s flight.
2. Every few bars, Motschmann throws in some lower notes, very quietly but a bit ominously. These notes bring to mind the dark topside of the 88 butterfly’s wings.
3. Those fast arpeggios in the right hand are like the intricate patterns on the underside of the 88’s wings. And it’s cool that pianos have 88 keys.
Recommended listening activity:
Lying in bed, pretending the sheets are a chrysalis.