I placed myself in
a cocoon to protect me
from nature’s hostility;
it kept me confined
to bitterness and anger.
My body was covered
with hair-like setae
meant to sting my foes,
but also those who
reached out in love.
I became unraveled,
letting in the people I once
shut out and left myself
open to pain knowing it
would only strengthen me.
I also realized that coming
out of my shell was
the only way to spread
my wings and soar
above my past troubles.
Author notes
Setae are brittle hairs on caterpillars used as a defense mechanism.
In a list
A contest entry
- Wanted: Free Verse rich in metaphor by BellaD.
950 points, ended August 1, 2008, 15 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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I love the message and the wisdom of this piece especially in the second and third stanzas. Very nice entry. Thank you!
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Man, this is a great poem. I also did an entry for the contest, and I thought it was just plain, but this can make ANYTHING look plain. Well done and good luck.
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Again, such an optimistic feel to this one, especially the ending.
But it is not without that biting edge, not without that price we must all pay.
Beautiful write. Good luck in the contest - I'm sure you'll do wonderfully as always!
Also, did I mention that you are the queen of metaphors??? You once again made a metaphor go further than anyone else has ever taken it!!!
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