Papillon

"The Beautiful Butterfly"

I am the beautiful butterfly

not born in beauty,

but becoming it.

I was once cocooned in silence,

wrapped tight in shadows,

folded into corners of doubt

where even light feared to land.

But don’t mistake my stillness for surrender.

Stillness is a strategy.

Stillness is strength disguised.

And when I burst forth

I burst like truth through the lies,

like dawn through a night that forgot the sun was coming.

Wings soft as whispers,

but strong enough to part storms.

Each pattern etched with pain I’ve transformed

into power,

into poetry,

into prayer.

Yes—my wings shimmer.

Not in spite of my scars

because of them.

See, they say fragility floats,

but I don’t just float—I fly.

Through winds meant to break me.

Through skies that never promised safety.

I fly with elegance,

because violence taught me grace.

I soar not to escape,

but to rise.

Don’t mistake my gentleness for weakness.

My softness is rebellion.

My tenderness? A war cry.

I am fierce in forgiveness,

wild in compassion,

bold in my love like fire that warms and consumes.

I am always becoming

never stuck in what was,

never settling for less than the limitless.

I am the echo of metamorphosis,

proof that pain can be a womb,

that struggle can birth beauty.

And I don’t ask to be understood

I dare to be seen.

So call me fragile,

call me delicate

but know this:

I am the beautiful butterfly

ever evolving,

soft and unbreakable,

gentle and unshakable.

I am love.

Unapologetic.

Uncontainable.

Unforgettable.

I am Papillon.

N'gamé 🦋