Early instar
larvae,
lurking,
lying still
in murky waters,
hidden,
waiting,
dreaming of prey.Do they
dream as well
of births to come?Of being born
twelve times over?Of giving birth
to themselves,
after a fashion?
Of spilling out
from within
themselves,
struggling to escape
the confining shell
that once was all
that gave them shape?
Do they anticipate
the most difficult birth of all?As they climb
toward the light,
leaving behind
the dark, wet world
that is all they have known,
do they foresee
that final rebirth?
That struggle?
That change so tremendous
that they will truly be reborn:
Gaining grace,
gaining wings,
gaining the air,
becoming as angels?Will heaven and earth
be as different for us
as air and water for them?
_____________
- Roy Beckemeyer 1997