The Courage of the Butterfly

This first poem I wrote a couple weeks ago. It was inspired by another poem about a butterfly, written by a friend. Butterflies have always fascinated me, and I feel they are an amazing example of a lot of great qualities. Especially courage...

From tons of little feet on solid ground,

to being wrapped in a haven safe and sound.

Hanging alone, becoming, night after night;

gently pondering, preparing for flight.

This is the caterpillar's vision quest:

a slow, silent, transforming rest.

Then out of the stillness, a sudden shaking!

A beautiful butterfly in the making.

Its fight for freedom shakes both over and under;

a world of insects left tantalized in wonder.

Then finally it bursts with a conviction so freeing,

and it realizes it is a completely new being.

No longer creeping on the earth below,

its time down there feels so long ago;

yet with these gigantic, colorful wings,

it's aware of the responsibility they bring.

Having never left its feet, however many there be,

this call to fly might scare one to flee;

but fleeing isn't a concept that this creature knows,

so it leaps full courage and away it goes!

The butterfly's answer is always "Yes!"

A life lived without limits is put to the test.

"A test? No problem" it says with no frets,

'cause a butterfly's ready no matter what call it gets.

The biggest leap of faith in the animal realm,

comes from an insect with trust at its helm.

Its purpose now clearer than ever before:

"To live to be free, and courageously soar!"

--DW 3/09