Crawling towards sky

Three butterflies in a gentle wind

talk to each other of their younger selves,

recalling the days before transformation

when the slightest breeze felt like a tornado

and the breath of hummingbirds

could shake them from their root.

Now they look to each other’s flight

and smile at the rare journey of growth,

giving thanks to the years

of crawling on dirt paths

that gave strength to guide

such mighty wings.