Chrysalis

Her body nearly spent,

and her mind clouded with pain

(he slips a little medication into her water

to make her more comfortable,)

and her spirit,

oh, now it’s the Spirit’s time …

it alternately squirms and rests,

squirming, stretching, pushing

as in a live chrysalis,

answering the call

to freedom at last.

By Cynthia Leppert

(Cynthia Leppert is a member of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.) †

The Criterion