A caterpillar crawls through life
fearing birds and heels and strife
going nowhere very fast
hoping, praying just to last
until the day – may yet come soon
when safety's found in a cocoon.
Selfish insect that it may be
hanging high in a Hickory
tree
soon it hears the woeful story
that there is no earthly glory
being buried in self-pity
when, in truth, life can be pretty.
Thus, when ugly worm grows weary
of this useless life so dreary
then it
breaks the bonds that bind it
leaving all its woes behind it
and from the tomb of its creation
works its own self liberation
'til at last it soars on high
now a grateful butterfly.
There's a lesson to be learned
from this worm whose life has turned.
I, too, can work to be free
strive – and win – some liberty
all I need to do is change
daily habits re-arrange
join once more the human race
humbly pray to God for Grace
work with friends in unity
'til all selfish thoughts are gone
then in truth
I shall be free
and my prize – serenity.
