Home » Poems » Kim Rodrigues » Safe and Sound

Safe and Sound

chrysalis tears
   meconium oozes
soft wings cling

butterfly’s
  pupal fluid
red like blood

caterpillar and chrysalis
   combine to change
ugly duckling to swan

first flight
   like a falling forest tree
without sound

without witnesses
  beauty unexamined
unmounted

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Valsa George

Date: 6/22/2024 8:46:00 PM

First flight is without sound and any ostentation. It is after passing through many stages that a butterfly emerges and the ugly duckling (do you mean cygnet?) has to wait for months to become a swan and fly. Till that time it will be riding on its mother's back. Kim, I wonder if my interpretation of the poem is right.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 6/23/2024 5:54:00 AM

The swan was thought to be an ugly duckling, in Hans Christian Andersen’s book. The “unmounted,” at the end is depicting the opposite of entomology, and the butterfly may not be noticed at all, as it is free. …and whatever else the reader might see. The verse before it also relates to an unnoticed flight. Hugs ~ Kim

Duke Beaufort

Date: 6/20/2024 11:13:00 AM

Kim, thank you for celebrating this marvelous group of insects. They are all wondrous in their own way. These happen to be quite spectacular to watch.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 6/20/2024 7:07:00 PM

Thank you, my friend!