And Even Higher Things

You don’t have to be perfect,
or even beautiful
in a conventional way.

You don’t have to be appropriate,
or normal, or anything else
the news stands say.

You do have to be patient,
to make me feel safe
as I unfurl my wings,

and find my color,
and in ways no one can see,
lift me high to the sun and even higher things.

About this poem

These were the most amazing butterflies. Grey and deceptively bland on the outside, when they unfurled their wings, they were stunning. But they were timid in showing their color. I had to wait a long time to get this shot, showing both what was on the outside, and what was on the inside of the wings.

Love makes us vulnerable. So safety, emotional safety, is the most beautiful and powerful gift we can give. Allowing others to share their colors and know they are protected, cared for and loved.

Tom