Big Ideas in a Small Package

The tiny
little
caterpillar
sits in the shadows, 
leaves and branches becoming its haven, 
and listens.
And it hears everything:
the cricket's song,
the woodpecker's sharp tap,
the friends who disagree.
One wants something, 
and the other would give anything not to have it.
And it hears more:
the squirrel washing,
the mouse chewing,
the lovers murmuring little things to each other,
opening up to share a world.
They want each other's hearts, and they know it.
And it hears more:
the cat pouncing,
the owl waking, 
the enemies drawing their swords as the moon rises.
They each want something, and the other has the promise of it.
In the end, it all comes down to Want, doesn't it?
Evil men rise to power
because they want it.
Homes rise and fall 
because it is wanted
by someone, something in the universe.
Zooming in again,
does our caterpillar believe in God?
I don't
but something's out there 
guiding us onto our path.
It may not be the right path, 
but it's ours
and that's it.




Thank you to my Aunt Meg, for being my first audience for this poem and helping with proofreading!!
If this gets published somewhere, I DO ALL MY OWN PROOFREADING. YOU MAY REMOVE THIS BUT NOTHING ELSE. Thank you!
 

Aster

VT

14 years old

More by Aster

  • relief


    can you just TELL me if you- 
    wait, what?
    really?
    Y-you really do like me?
    i- you-
    yes.
    thank you.
    thank you.
    and...

    i'm sorry too.

    but i love you.
  • my people

    why aren't you talking to me?!
    i could scream 
    i just miss you

    i do want you in my life!
    i love you
    i just 
    can't 
    hold all this up on my own.
    if you don't want to help me carry this,