beetle in the bell jar
will you ever be free?
climbing glass walls with glassy eyes
an invisible sight to see
tell me what life was like
before it trapped you here
I’ll sit and blink and think a while
here, please take my ear
why not my cheeks and nose, too?
they could serve you well
see the world through my face for a day
and I’ll put on your shell
it’s dark and hollow in this place
you must not let much light in
through your shiny armor or
under your upturned chin
from the inside now I see
all the beauty that you guard
dewy mornings in the early sun
children playing in the yard
muddy fingers tracing wings
afternoons spent foraging
a soft heat melting gooey air
on which the summer birds sing
I see why you hide now
keeping safe in your deep shell
all the memories you’re missing here
living in a frail glass bell.
Setting The Barre 