I  was a worm, a caterpillar.  I was happy moving about chewing,
consuming, becoming full with what the world gave. 

Then I began to feel different.  I did not understand it.  My body
began to feel different.  I no longer enjoyed going about chewing,
consuming.

I made myself a blanket, weaving it about me while others went
their way.  I recluded.

After a while colors came to me and a new growth within.  A newness that opened to the fragile beauty of the world ... And I falteringly soar, and the flight is sweet though my soma is lessened.

Having experienced the loss of the first, as type of death, I know
this now may go too.  This new flight, this better vision is but a
time before what is to come.

~ Elaine Welch, May 1991

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