Inklings 2021

SELF PORTRAIT Paulina Tein The monarch butterfly Has taken many forms As a Caterpillar, Milkweed leaves equipped her with cardiac toxins She embraces her past because it prepared her. Now she makes her debut Amongst other metamorphosed beings Intimidated by their beauty But she is the monarch And tours the garden built along my fence As if it’s a runway. The monarch butterfly Thrives on her own I watch as she flaps her tangerine wings Reaches her destination Lands softly on a milkweed blossom. She is confident in her decisions She maps her path And succeeds Fulfills herself with nectar. The monarch butterfly Is left undisturbed Not even a great egret Attempts to consume her For fear of her toxic flesh. She perches on my windowsill The misted window glass acts a mirror She dares me to look away But my eyes are locked on my reflection. 36