I miss being a caterpillar, when I just used to play around the lush green fields,

Playing with the dolls , bathing in tubewell, and eating the shehtoot , the tree in my lawn yields.

Days passed quickly, playing and chirping and hopping between the hopscotch borders,

The only worry was the pending holiday homework on our soft shoulders.

Rains were fun and the sunlight never bothered my skin color,

Bodies were not judged by their weights nor how certain areas of your physique should be fuller.

Scores were compared but didn't make us feel low than our sibling,

The way now it does when the salaries are weighed , and mental peace is a fling.

Forgetfulness was a blessing , for we easily forgave who sinned against us,

Then why can't we forgive ourselves now without making a big fuss.

The fights were sorted with the our candies shared,

The breakups now are our scar marks, the battle of acceptance leaves the heart scared.

'House' and 'business' were the games to test our future skills,

Alas! Emotions now we barter, and the rented rooms we fill.

Then we cried louder and louder to make our tears visible ,

Now we cry softer and softer to hide our pains which are indicible.

We had measured the large, open playgrounds with our small feet,

Now we remain locked in the six inch screen, thumbs fighting with the alphabets on repeat.

Unannounced we visited their homes to call our friends for another round of 'ice spy' or 'seek and hide'.

Forget a meet, now we have to fix appointments with them to confide.

Everywhere darkness prevails, so this is what feels like a pupa in cocoon ,

My throat suffocates, my heart pounds, hold me for I'm going to pass out soon.

The accusing voices , and the mountainous expectations, beep in my ears,

I shut them tightly, but the mental image of failure still appears.

Shall I slit my throat or my wrist, or drink poison ivy, or take a leap of death?

This claustrophobia is too much to bear, it slowly rips off my faith.

Keep patience , keep perseverance, keep hold on your breath for a while,

For the cocoon will soon break and then will end this revile.

Holding the last piece of confidence , I sat in the corner bracing my heart,

The sunlight floods in through the creak when the cocoon tears apart.

The colourful world, flowers and green leaves welcome the new butterfly,

I notice my wings , so vibrant and so breathtaking, I spread them wide to fly.

Once again I'm measuring the open playgrounds, perching on flowers , I dance and sing,

The only difference is now I don't crawl but fly and glide with my aeroplane like wings.

Glossary::

Shehtoot: a fruit

Fling: short lived pleasure.

Indicible: unspeakable

Claustrophobia: fear of closed spaces.

Revile: to abuse and criticise angrily.