Chrysalis

A chrysalis is

      all wrapped up in itself;

      dark and warm, and feels safe;

      only temporary.

 

The caterpillar inside

      doesn’t seem to want to be

      what it is.  Yet,

      it can’t be anything else

      without change.

 

So it just buries itself away

      in a place where it doesn’t

      have to worry,

      and goes to sleep.

 

Whether it’s ready or not,

      life breaks open the casing

      so carefully constructed,

      built with such energy,

      just to protect what is!

 

God it hurts!

      Why must this happen?

      It’s so hard to do this!

      Yet, if you do it for me, I die . . .

 

Well . . . look at what I’ve become.

      I feel stronger.  FREER.

      Like I could fly.

      Oh my!  I CAN!!!!!

 

-Jo-

2/11/86

Spangdahlem, Germany