Always Remember My Dear Caterpillar Poem by RIC BASTASA

always remember what the black bird once chirped
that wise bird long buried in the sands and leaves of time

that which angers you
conquers you

that which does not kill you
strengthens you

that which you love
enslaves you

and that which loves you
with fire from her eyes
and cinders from her heart
may soon
make you the most vulnerable
link in the chain
of creation


a caterpillar crawling
in the world of roses
either it soon turns to stone
a pebble or even dust

with no promise of
metamorphosis
once in the life of the
trusting butterfly