I Am a Butterfly

I am a Black queer butterfly
weakened by the loss of friends, opportunities, joy
in America.
I am a butterfly
wondering if this country was ever truly meant for me.
They said it used to be better.
Sometimes I agree,
Sometimes I don’t.
I have only been a butterfly
on this planet, in this country for 30 plus years.
Maybe it was better.
But it’s not now.
I am becoming a butterfly
who is flying out of the cage America has put me in.
I am flying
toward my dreams of writing stories, poetry, essays
that tells this country
who I am.
I want to share my stories
to my fellow American butterflies,
showing them with my words, my art
that we matter and that we deserve respect, love, compassion.
I am not a newborn caterpillar.
I am a grown butterfly
and I am ready to bring the goodness
America so desperately needs right now.

LeeAnn McKinnon (she/they) is a writer, artist, spoken word performer, and zine maker. When she’s not working on her creative projects, she is watching diverse animated series/movies and books.