Butterflies

Caterpillars that hid away from the world

In their chrysalides

Now tear the casing and emerge with wings

And a vehemence I've never felt before,

Fluttering in my chest and stomach

At just the thought of you.

A mind stored with fleeting thoughts of almost everything,

And a heart stored with brief passion for almost anything,

It's nearly impossible for something to stay for long;

But now larvae

Eat away that old storage

And build a permanent home.

The kaleidoscope, with their intricate patterns,

Replay memories of you.

In unison, the sound of their flapping wings

Mimics the sound of your voice.

The flutter of them, light and delicate,

Feels like a momentary touch from you.

Swarms prevent me from swallowing food,

Swallowing knowledge in class,

Swallowing my feelings.

The swarm has swallowed me whole.