Giant Leopard Moth · Boston Mills

Are we but Giant Leopard Moths?

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by Alex Saba

We all have a coming of age story...

                   Turning into a beautiful butterfly!
         That's what they say to us as children.
                           Not everyone is given the life of a butterfly,

But what about those who turn into a beautiful moth?
         Those of us who were given more struggle,
         those of us who were born into unlivable environments...
                                   Those who come out when the moon is bright
                                   and the jimson weeds are blooming,
                                   Those who have learned to thrive in the night...

                   As a caterpillar they are prickly.
                           Although, not poisonous.
                   They are guarded for survival.
                   Cautious...
                                   from their past,
                                   their environment.

                   They hide in the darkest times.
                   Transforming...
                                  along with the moss,
                                  with the fungi,
                                  the decaying leaves.

You would mistake them for nothing.
                   They made themselves nothing...

But when the brisk winds have dissipated,
         the sun warms the earth,
         and the moonflowers are starting to grow...
                                 They light the night sky
                                           as beautifully as the moon they mimic.

                   They have left their past life,
                                           you wouldn't even recognize them,
         they have changed their entire world...
                                 No longer living in fear.
                                 No longer only surviving.
         They have gained what is most valuable...
                                 Time.

         Time to love,
                  to live,
                           to fly beautifully through life.
                                    Free from their past
                                             with the moon lighting their pathway.

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