No one understands

how a butterfly is made.

Yes, we can name the stages:

egg

larvae

caterpillar

butterfly

But, how does a caterpillar know

to shed its skin and be wrapped

in self-created darkness?

How can it let itself liquify

in order to be made anew?

This we do not understand.

But, we know how essential

the chrysalis is,

this place that holds,

gentle and firm,

for the mystery to play out

until  we get our wings.

                                                                                                   JDG