Thoughts Like a Caterpillar

The sly voice inside my mind
wonders if I'll die like a caterpillar
yes I reply surely
but my answer gets lost somewhere
between the left and right hemispheres
and a certain gleefully curved idea
chases it deeper than thought

It's the silence that attracts you
forming wordless appeals
like cold fingers small and ideal
terrifyingly simple
a rushing expanse of calm
beyond an event horizon
at the edge of this spiralling galaxy
a sly universe inside my mind
at play within a single beat of your heart
a single flutter of a butterfly's wing
held like one's breath
during a perfect moment of clarity

I knew better yes
as the sounds of life rush in on me
pushing open each muti-locked door
startling each memory I hold dear
chasing the messages never sent
leaving my own words behind
to die like a caterpillar