Summerfly

Each year it is lovely to see the soft silk petals of butterflies dancing on the breeze and welcoming the start of Summer. As a girl I was introduced to my grandfather’s elder sister Ada. Auntie Ada or Great Auntie Ada as she was, still spoke many of the old English words and sayings that have now been lost to us. We occasionally may hear or see them on the odd occasion when they come back to life in a play or tantalizingly in print from some ancient text. One word that she would often use was ‘afore.’ This was the word that was spoken until it was more acceptable to say ‘before.’

I would say “Bye, bye with a kiss on her cheek.” She would answer “Afore, y’ go ….”

 Peacock butterfly on some Buddleia

‘Summerfly wave your petals away;
Summerfly bring the warmth of the day.’