A Squishy, Squashy Caterpillar Poem by Don Dickenson

It’s difficult to believe,
a squishy, squashy caterpillar,
can become a butterfly.
It’s hard to understand,
the changes, wrought within them
as their days go by.
But they tell me that it’s true,
they sleep the winter through.
Then in the spring, or summertime,
awaken to a body, and a life,
that is completely new.
From chomping on the cabbages,
they go to aerial flight,
flitting in the flower beds,
In the bright sunlight.

Caterpillars munch and munch;
They daily gobble, —gobble.
Eating ‘til they’re fat and sleek,
no matter how they wobble.
Growing ‘til their skin bursts wide,
to show another skin inside.
Then finding safety, in a dusty corner,
build a rock hard silk cocoon.
There to await, transforming power,
from life’s morn, to new life’s afternoon.
As Butterflies they’ll sip, sweet nectar,
produced by favourite flowers.
Exuding, grace and elegance,
beautifying sun kissed hours.
Enhancing and delighting,
with the glory there revealed,
bringing colour, life and brightness,
to each garden, Park or field.