At a younger age
she went through a stage
where she considered herself ugly
she hated her weight
and physical appearance

Her low self esteem
made her vulnerable to predators
she would eat
then crawl into a corner of self hate
camouflage her insecurities on leaves of loneliness
often wishing that she could shed her skin
cease being a crawling creature

She no longer wanted to be a caterpillar
she wanted to change from an insect
and transform into something of indescribable
beauty

The day came when she looked inside herself
shed her insecurities and began to transform
into a jade green chrysalis
a colorful cocoon flecked with gold
 
Within her shell
she felt herself
transforming
transcending
becoming
something more beautiful than before
 
While inside her cocoon of self love
she experienced a metamorphosis of her mind
a new life cycle
she acquired a higher form
of consciousness

She had outgrown her old skin
and discovered that true change
and beauty lies within

Secure in her new identity
she fought to free herself from her chrysalis
struggled to split open the cocoons shell
struggled to keep her newly formed wings dry
and after her struggle
she succeeded and emerged
as a beautiful butterfly!
 
With fluttering wings she took flight
ascending towards the sky
having been miraculously transformed
into a beautiful butterfly

Fully evolved and mature
she felt her confidence soar
no one can call her ugly anymore
so when it comes to spiritual transformation
butterfly is the perfect metaphor

She survived her struggle to break free
now she is a living testimony
of the beauty that adversity brings
once she discovered her inner beauty
she transformed into a butterfly with gold wings

Now all who view her become spellbound
she's no longer limited to living like a caterpillar
crawling on the ground
watch as she soars to the sky
she can fly
She Can Fly
SHE CAN FLY!!!

I wrote this poem because I've always marveled at how a leaf-eating caterpillar is able to transform into a beautiful air soaring, nectar sipping butterfly.  Before it becomes a butterfly, a caterpillar goes through a stage in which it is transformed into a "chrysalis."  While inside the chrysalis, a spiritual transformation is occurring that changes the caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.  If the butterfly is able to successfully struggle out of its chrysalis, it will emerge with wings of intricate designs and brilliant colors.


The chrysalis process symbolizes how women can transform into something beautiful once they look inside themselves.  With confidence, high self esteem and self love comes the realization that you can survive your struggles.  Struggles are exactly what we all need in our life to become a stronger person!  I encourage all women to tap into their inner strength when times get hard. Upon surviving your struggles, you will see that your future lies in becoming beautiful butterflies!