Once upon a time There was a dream, a butterfly Colours vivid, shape enticing A certain vibrant energy all of its own Enchanted, I reached out and caught it in my hands The struggle was sapping my strength Draining my zeal Slowing me down Consuming me Finger by finger I pried off Only to find the grip returning Each connection shorn Was a piece of me cauterized Finger by finger I pried off The last electrons fell away The wings fluttered, it took flight A blanket of calm, left behind A sense of peace A sigh of freedom. Photo by AARN GIRI on Unsplash