Rebirth

I have been in gestation
for over six years
in an airtight cocoon
slowly chewing my way out
with bleeding gums and aching jaws
only now do I see
the smallest shard of light
beckoning me to chew faster
fresh air seeps through
bringing my first taste of freedom
with one final push
I burst through the crack
leaving the darkness behind
and suddenly become aware
that I have grown wings



* first published in issue 14 of Blackwidows Web of Poetry in 2003
* published in volume 29 of Parnassus Literary Review in 2005