A Butterfly’s Wings

Teardrops fell from Shelly’s face, as she held her mother’s hand

Sorrow filled her broken heart, as she fought to understand

Why her mom was dying, why she had to let her go

And as her fear grew stronger, Shelly felt her panic grow

For how would she survive, without her mother guiding her along?

Giving words of encouragement, support to make her strong?

As Shelly started trembling, the tears continued down her cheeks

She realized that the end was near, she’d prepared for it for weeks

But now here in that moment, Shelly couldn’t say good-bye

Instead she stood there silently, as her mother watched her cry

And as if her mother read her mind, or maybe read her heart

She spoke her final words, intended to leave their mark

“There are many things I need to say, words before I go

But time is of the essence, so it’s important that you know . . .

That sometimes you’ll feel powerless, believing you can’t win

And what others think of you, will be the image you hold within

You may think you’ll have to follow quietly, at someone else’s pace

And be the image on magazine covers, the perfect smiling face

With the pressures to be flawless, you’ll doubt yourself, and all the things that you can be

But I ask of you dear Shelly, whenever you feel that way, please stop and think of me

For when I look into your eyes, I see a million stars

Shining from within, all your magic and who you are

In your face a flower’s blossom, a starlit winter’s night

Wings of a butterfly spread gracefully, without effort taking flight

A summer breeze and sunlight, colorful leaves found in the fall

Springtime filled with new life; in you I’ve found it all

All in life that’s remarkable, when I look at you I see

And if you can’t believe that of yourself, then at least believe in me”

Shelly listened closely, as her mother’s breath grew weak

She wanted to remember every word, her dying mother fought to speak

“You can always make excuses, or you can make great plans

You can bow your head in shame, or you can take a stand

And know how well deserved, your presence is in this world

To be a shining example, and a guide to every little girl

Take pride in all you are . . . a woman who is strong

Even when you stumble, or when you feel you don’t belong

For God had a part in making you, and all that’s on this earth

And even if you don’t realize it, you have tremendous worth

For though a butterfly may seem delicate, and fragile to the eye

Don’t you overlook the fact, it has what it takes to fly”

Shelly’s mother closed her eyes; her life on earth was gone

But her words remained behind, giving Shelly the strength to carry on

For in her mother’s words, she heard a message reliable and true:

There is nothing in this world that a woman cannot do

Though there are often times, when Shelly feels so weak and small

Knowing it would be simpler to walk away, than to proudly stand up tall

She finds herself thinking clearly, of all the little girls on this earth

Who feel so unimportant, not aware of their own worth

And then she hears her mother’s voice, from a breeze that’s softly passing by

“Don’t you overlook the fact; you have what it takes to fly”