transformation

an ancient creature
millions of years
and she persists
each egg brings life
small, delicate
born into her first form
the caterpillar
she moves slowly
needing constant nourishment
the world that welcomed her
is a dangerous place
hunted by predators
and still she grows
her form becomes familiar
just in time for her to change
but first, she must rest
she shelters in this altered state
letting no one in
emerging too early won’t allow her metamorphosis
days pass within her chrysalis
she’s insecure and still at risk
through her pain
she persists
reshaped into something new
this shell that kept her safe
she must now escape
her tender skin put to yet another test
she grows her will to live
the first crack
a breakthrough
by doing so
she strengthens her wings
soft and silky
nothing like what she was before
they fold about her
in her brief period of rest
she persists
she expands to full form
blood pumping
filling up space
though she’s never flown before
she knows what to do
this second life she’s been given
is just what she’s waited for
only she never knew
each measure
each strife
that came before
led her to this place
the time to fly
her colorful wings spread and flutter
she’s never felt so alive
the wind beneath her
all that she was left behind
she joins the others
a haze of butterflies
together, they’ll cross lands and seas
migrating long distances
pollinating
creating new life along the way
and she knows
she will persist
until her dying breath