Black butterfly

For the longest time, I wore
this brooch on my chest
- a black giant butterfly
with wings like old maps of
blue islands and lost territories
It was way larger than me,
darker than my shadow

I began seeing with its eyes
outside its body and outside mine
Its gripping legs were
growing deep inside my ribs
hurting and tainting my world,
while the only thrill I knew
was its terrifying flutter

the other day, it died on my shoulder -
its wings soft, its breath cold.
With overstated disappointment
and undue enthusiasm,
light and free, I went patiently
around my former self
to fill the gaps and seal the scars