Begin Again: Poetry and Photography

by Kim Lilley

Begin Again, by Kim Lilley

BEGIN AGAIN

Yesterday we found

the real life

very hungry caterpillar—

its thick, glossy, green body

plodding across

our driveway.

My son scooped it up,

a new treasure

for his bug box,

which must be

a prison compared to

the lush playground

of our backyard.

“One night,” I said,

“Then we must release her.”

But this morning,

she’s gone.

Or rather,

she’s found

the beginning of

her transformation

woven between

broken slanted twigs

where threads of

gleaming silver

encase her

beautiful

body.

It was her time, I suppose.

How did she know?

I marvel at the miracle

and possibly the meaning:

Today I go to my first

counseling session.

Maybe it means something

or maybe it’s nothing—

except that, at the very least,

there’s a glorious, wide world going on

just beyond my toes.

But I’m too busy

looking at the weeds.

Maybe it is my time as well.

Maybe every tiny miracle

is an invitation

to begin again,

in the garden.

In His Presence, by Kim Lilley

KIM LILLEY

Kim Lilley makes her home in the foothills of South Carolina. She spends her days trying to keep things alive: sourdough starter, house plants, tiny humans, and a few creative dreams. While the children fare pretty well most days, she can’t always say the same for the others. Yet through it all, God’s grace keeps her alive and helps her laugh at the days to come. Her poetry, photography, and short essays have been published by Daughters of Promise.

Connect with her on Substack at lilleyinthelight.substack.com.