Have you ever witnessed a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis? It’s an exquisite sight of delicate beauty. Yet, behind that beauty lies a struggle, a powerful metaphor for the journey of healing.
I often see the butterfly as an invitation for much needed change, whether it is emotional, psychological, physical, or spiritual. For me, the butterfly symbolizes movement from an old construct, where deep shifts happen, into a new spaciousness that promotes strengthening and flight.
The butterfly passages through the stages of egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly. The last stage, butterfly, shows transition from soft wings resting, to then pumping with fluid so they solidify and expand. This metamorphosis is an expression of aliveness, rebirth, and transformation.
I remember when the image of a butterfly appeared for me. It was in a time of cavernous fear and sorrow, my body shaking, a wrestling happening within me. I was pulled into the deepest place inside of me; I was in a chrysalis of sorts and clinging on for life. Inside, I strained in desperation. It was a laborious process, an intense fight for healing and freedom.
That image stayed with me, echoing the stories of so many who have endured all types of trauma. Like that butterfly, they too may be confined within a “shell” – a protective barrier built from pain, fear, and the need to survive. Breaking free from that shell is rarely easy. It requires immense effort, vulnerability, and a willingness to face the darkness within, or the courage to move toward the deepest wounds of suffering.
In my poem “butterfly,” I capture this arduous yet ultimately wondrous metamorphosis process:
The Hard Shell of Trauma
The “old encapsulating shelter” in the poem represents the protective defenses we may construct after experiencing trauma. This “shell” can manifest as emotional numbness, avoidance, isolation, anger, or a sense of disconnection from ourselves and others. It is a survival mechanism, a way to cope with overwhelming pain. However, like a chrysalis that has served its purpose, this shell eventually becomes a cage, limiting our growth and preventing us from experiencing the fullness of life.
The Laborious Journey Out
My words, “Laborious Labor,” communicate the difficulty of breaking free. Healing from trauma is not a passive process. It vitalizes courage, perseverance, and a willingness to turn towards the suffering that we may have worked so hard to bury, bypass, or turn away from.
“Thrashing beneath the darkness” speaks to the internal struggle, the moments of intense emotional turmoil that often accompany this journey. This internal dilemma can be filled with anguishing collapse and rising power at the same time. There may be setbacks, moments of doubt, and the urge to retreat back into the familiar, albeit painful, perceived safety of the shell.
“Flapping wings sound an anxious breath” reflects the vulnerability and fear inherent in this process. It is the moment of when someone has fought so hard and for so long that they push just a little more to keep going forward, and it can take the very last ounce of energy left in them to move.
The Chorus of Healing
The lines “screams of dragonflies and all winged creatures / sing to the moon” are particularly evocative. I interpret this as the voice of the healing process itself, the cries of pain and the songs of resilience that accompany transformation. It also suggests the importance of community and support. We are not alone in this journey; others have walked this path, and their voices can guide and encourage us.
The moon, often associated with cycles and the unconscious, symbolizes the deeper, transformative forces at play. It also represents a call for release and completion to take hold. The moon and its light are a glorious presence in the dark sky, which is similar to the process of internal darkness and the light within. This is a reminder of the fullness and beautiful part of us—the song of our soul—which is meant to shine us forward into our next moments in life.
The First Light of Wonder
Finally, my poem offers hope and a glimpse of the splendor that awaits. “Puncturing the shell, light seeps in” signifies the breakthrough, the moment when we begin to emerge from our pain. It is here that our internal flame reignites and our soul’s expression lights up. It may be a gradual process, but even a small opening can bring a sense of spaciousness, relief and possibility.
And then, “first flight… full of wonder.” This is the moment of liberation, of embracing our newfound freedom and potential. It is a moment of awe, of rediscovering the beauty and joy that life has to offer. It is when we give permission to ourselves to be our most authentic expression and soar.
Embracing Our Transformation
Like the butterfly, we too can emerge from our chrysalis shells, transformed and ready to take flight. The journey may be arduous, but the destination – a life lived with authenticity, freedom, and joy – is worth every ounce of effort. I hope that my poem serves as a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, the potential for transformation and wonder resides within us.
