i am born
a creature of all who come before me
half-fledged,
a fragile thing of bones and flesh and
butterflies
already pooling in
my stomach
my heart
my soul
i ensnare them. they ensnare me
all my life
they grow
flapping their wings
carrying their unique, monotonous beat
they are trapped. i am trapped
they are beautiful
but the devour me
hollow me out
until i am but a capsule for their greatness
i am their prison. i am my prison
when i die
they fly into the world
leaving me behind
they need me no longer
be free
