Thursday, October 23, 2008

Poem - You Can Fly. . . But That Cocoon Has Got To Go!

This has long been one of my favorite poems. I don't know where I first saw it or who the author is but I wanted to share it with you.


YOU CAN FLY. . . BUT THAT COCOON HAS GOT TO GO!

And I don't think it was talking about butterflies.

But the risk--oh, the risk of leaving the swaddling
warmth of a cocoon. My cocoon. My status quo.
My. . . deadening security.
To leave the known,
no matter how confining it may be--for an unknown,
a totally new lifestyle--
oh, the risk!

Lord, my cocoon chafes, sometimes. But I know its
restrictions. And it's scarey to consider the awful
implications of flight. I'm leery of heights. (Even
your heights.)
But, Lord, I could see so much wider, clearer
from heights.
And there's an exhilaration about flight that I
have always longed for.
I want to fly. . .
if I could just have the cocoon to come back to.
Butterflies can't.
Probably butterflies don't even want to--
once they've tasted flight.

It's the risk that makes me hesitate.
The knowing I can't come back to the warm, undemanding
status quo.

Lord. . . about butterflies. . .
the cocoon has only two choices--
risk
or die
What about me?
If I refuse to risk,
do I, too, die inside, still wrapped in the swaddling
web?

Lord?

Author Unknown

Let me know what you think about this poem?
Patricia

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Patricia, I like this poem ... although I'm not sure I like the ending, sounds kind of ominous!

I think we can always choose to stay right where we are, although we will become increasingly uncomfortable. And life has a funny way of making us come out of that cocoon, if we don't step out on our own.

Blessings,
Andrea

Patricia Singleton said...

Andrea, I don't know that I would call it ominous, just still undecided. When I first found this poem, it gave me the courage to leave the cocoon behind finally and to open my wings and fly, to discover life in its full wonder.

Anonymous said...

I think the ending is actually the prelude to the hardest and most courageous part of all. Taking that first step anyway, even though there's absolutely nothing to reassure you.

Vitor

Patricia Singleton said...

Vitor, I wholeheartedly agree with you. The hardest part of being courageous is often not knowing what the outcome of your actions will be.

Donna said...

This poem was written by Imogene Sorley and/or Jo Carr, who authored "Bless This Mess" and "Plum Jelly, Stained Glass and Other Prayers." I too have loved this poem because it reminds me what risk and faith is really all about.

Patricia Singleton said...

Donna, thank you for telling me who wrote the poem.

Debbie Mitchell said...

I saw the title to this poem years ago in a fellow Christians home and it had the most beautiful drawing with it of a butterfly just taking flight from a branch and leaving behind an empty chrysilis. The words have urged me on and at times haunted me for years. I have recently received training for an energy work modality that has been such a blessing, and I am currently lacking only a website for my certification and I would love to purchase the picture to use as my front page giving full credit to the artist. If you know of or have information regarding this PLEASE contact me at freeradsdeadngone@yahoo.com thank you Debbie

Patricia Singleton said...

Debbie, I hope someone sees your message here and does contact you about the poem and drawing. Best wishes for your energy work. I don't remember where I first saw this poem but I love what it says. Have a blessed and prosperous 2013.