Caterpillar

19 6 7
                                    


watching the washing machine
and learning how cycles work

small hands wait for wings
and to escape their caterpillar coating

years pass by as their eyes close
the cocoon winding tighter than a swaddle

the worm of doubt wriggles in
through an opening not meant

and the beads of sweat form on their brows
as they scream from inside their lie


throats hoarse, knees close.


the cocoon shatters.




You were not born to be a butterfly.







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