se gostariam de
um destino sem asas,
porque lhes cabe
um propósito maior
do que suas vontades.
Há que compreender-lhes
na mudança
as lágrimas e silêncios,
mas não se ouve histórias de
borboletas arrependidas
de abraçar caminhos de vento.
You don't ask a caterpillar
if she would rather have
no wings,
because her fate
is tied to a purpose
higher than her will.
You must undestand
her tears and silence
when faced with change,
though no one hears stories
of butterflies who regretted
embracing life in the wind.
(To my student Maíra Gaio, who's grown to greater heights. It's never easy to abandon the cocoon.)