Cocoon (a poem)

You burst from your cocoon
like popcorn from the bag.
They say “you are beautiful,
just as nature intended.”

You grow as you did before,
learning the ways of the world
with your new-found wealth-
They say “you are such a lucky thing, you.”

Your presence collects stares
like a magnet does to paper clips.
They say “you are eye-catching,”
all thanks to your beauty nap.

But something is wrong
for all I see

is that you emerged just as you had
when first climbing into your cocoon.
These people look at you
through rose-colored glasses.

You may call yourself
such a beautiful
butterfly,

but all I see
is just another bug,
waiting
to get
squished.