Emergence

Witness the exuviae --
remains of final moults
testaments to different life
underground or underwater;
imagine the struggle
of cicada or dragonfly
that climbs up to air
that breathes new air
that crawls and flies.
The strength
emergence requires,
an innate
animal confidence,
courage even.

Then witness
those among us
suffocating
in prejudice
drowning
in ignorance
who do not
struggle or emerge
into new form.
Now picture
what they
leave behind.

I once feared
insect shells.
But that was before
I knew the true
locus of terror.