Inevitably alchemy, the lesser into the greater,
morphing to the pupa stage, the chrysalis,
but faster, the cuticle of skin sloughed off,
regrown, and shed again, each larval, instar
meta phase passing through more molting lives
than saints — five, six times before the final birth,
then into the light, like eyes wadded up, then slowly,
with the blood, wings opening. Opening and closing.
— Stanley Plumly, from “Butterflies,” Old Heart: Poems.
Notes:
- Quote: Vale of Soul Making. Photo: Brooke Shaden with Season Changing
- Prior “Lightly child, lightly” Posts? Connect here.
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
Brilliant composition of words, David.
It really is.
Yes
How to describe such magic…perfect
So agree…
Euphoria!
It is! Rise Up! Rise Up!
I just love this!
free at last, free at last –
I liked this, Dave ~ had to go read the rest of it. Thanks.
🙏
So glad Roseanne.
No words today — just like stars —
Or should I say “Like” stars — both work —
Well that’s GREAT
This is beautiful…
It is!
Dave great poem and photo. Enticed me to think of the necessity of the butterfly’s miraculous metamorphic stages and the interior nurturing of development that goes on secluded from our human eyes… and the mysteriousness that signals flutter within the chrysalis bringing forth emergence, “Into The Light”… gifting us with the graceful, quiet beauty of a life that delights.. flittering and flying…I watch, these marvels, some butterflies are brightly colored and when I see a Monarch in flight I stop, take a reverent breath in, savoring…nature’s, winged, stained glass in flight…
Beautiful…flutter within chrysalis
Dave, thank you for the compliment…