metamorphosis

i cocooned myself a month ago—
already i can feel my body shifting

pools of sweat dripping down my back
forming wings of pure testosterone
my body reeks of masculinity
my temperature is starting to soar

my voice today won’t be my voice tomorrow
drifting down, down, down, featherlike
don’t blink, you’ll miss the drop
don’t blink, i’ll never sound the same

my hair is forming shadows across my face
it will never be this smooth again
i long for sandpaper stubble, but
i embrace the soft down on my upper lip

each fleeting, ephemeral moment
i hold close to my deflating chest
tomorrow i will yearn to fly—
but today i cherish my chrysalis