To those who have been

Like the butterfly, transform

leave white spindly cocoons

for the harsh wind

and wish

for safe impossible return.

Wings engraved, markings etched

faces I could never soon

forget

leave your mark on wings like so

then break a piece off, and another.

Butterfly, butterfly

now more moth than beautiful

for those who have been

and those still to come

beat your wings

and form hurricanes.