"FACINGFACES 2002 - 04" SELECTED POETRY (Part 2)

The Chameleon


Tinkering and scraping with gusto
Vigorously smelling victory,
Feeble when weakened and stagnant
In times of defeat, but never admitting it

Everlasting struggles miraculously conclude
As resplendently she arrives,
Blinking back the sun of this bright new world
she cautiously embarks on her quest

Fluttering and stumbling at first,
How does one fly when the cocoon
Has stifled, suffocated and captivated for
An eternity, or so it seems?

A fortuitous glance in the mirror sees
Hope smiling back
A ménage of colour and future
Daintily dances around
The joyful weightless meandering
Completes the transformation,
She’s airborne

© Carlene Parianos, Australia