“Flutters of Growth” by Mandy Austin Cook
it hurts.
to peel back the cocoon
wriggling past what’s safe
into unknown adventure.
but staying curled up into nothingness
also delivers nothing.
this is how you discover your ugly duckling
so stretch through the pain with wobbly new limbs
and gingerly open trembling, awkward wings
leaning greatly into the allowance of the vulnerable
for this is the most effective way
to comprehend the air.