Lepidoptera Cypionate

I will build a new cocoon

Scaled layers of foil gel packets
as I melt inside my tank-binder chrysalis into cuffed jeans that weren’t made to fit me

Crumpled wings dissolving
in a cold solution that smells of injections,
alcohol that evaporates quickly and leaves a mantle of film

I will grow my wings again,
sticky gauze, fragile gossamer,
but no longer sickly, stiffened and frail

I will emerge with plumed antennae shaggy legs and velvet wings
and this time I will fly