After a year cocooned
in homes large and small,
humans are beginning to peek out
from the chrysalis crafted by Covid-19.
Masks in place,
wings are spreading,
propelling individuals toward
stores, parks, outdoor spaces
and schools.
Students,
the youngest of butterflies,
pack everything needed
for a day spent six feet apart —
from everyone.
The past year has taught us perseverance.
Yet, I argue
it is the students shining brightest.
With a steadfastness
far beyond their years,
my students offer one another
kindness, humanity and
honest words on the page.
No doubt today’s youth
are changed by the past year.
But, if what I see in my concurrent classrooms
is any indication,
a steely new generation is on the rise.
*Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
A Reading Life 
Love the imagery of this new generation, spreading their wings in flight. I agree “a steely new generation is on the rise.” Your words are as precise as ever.
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I love your extended metaphor here! Our youngest “humans are beginning to peek out from the chrysalis crafted by Covid-19” I think you are on to something here! Are kiddos are going to prove they are “a steely new generation.” One that “is on the rise!”
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I love how you describe this using the metaphor of a butterfly. It works so well!
I’m also glad you documented this. Years from now, we will have to gather and reread together our pandemic writing. I am hoping it will become a very distance memory and poems like this will be appreciated because they will take us back.
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