Thoughts of a butterfly who once was a greedy caterpillar

I was born to a world so full of wonder, bountiful and rich
It all looked so tasty and easily in reach, I wanted it all so began to eat
The more I ate the more I wanted so I ate and ate without no hint of a glitch
At first just a little, then with growing speed, consuming so much, a glorious treat

I didn't look up, just ate and ate, why not I thought, without stopping to pause
My want consumed me and I in turn consumed regardless of real need
It was there just for me and easily reached, want it need it ...right into my jaws
So I ate and got fat, lazy and slow, but I didn't care continuing despite obvious greed

I stopped suddenly one day, swallowed then wondered, why my thoughts seemed so deep
Had I eaten my fill, consumed all around, was I sufficiently full my hunger sated?
Rubbing tired eyes, and yawning largely I found a nice spot then laid down to sleep
A lovely sleep I had, most cosy and warm, however unbeknown to me my life it was dated

I dreamed vividly in that sleep strange and wondrous dreams, so many of flight
But soon I woke emerging from my own body, bursting out, a brand new me
I had delicate wings of colour liked fragile stained glass, patterns catching the light
Away I leapt, upwards in flight, climbing higher and high for safe purchase, the leaf of a tree

I looked down on the world I'd slept in and saw something new, it had paid a price
Not as plentiful, and nowhere as green as I'd thought, it looked tired, used up and bare
Through excess and greed it had succumbed to want, consumerism and averice
Is it too late to change, quite probably it is, but change it we must for this planet we share

(Image taken today by me at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England)