By Scott Shephard

chrys·a·lis

noun

• a quiescent insect pupa, especially of a butterfly or moth

  "the transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and, finally, adult"

• the hard outer case enclosing a chrysalis.

  "the splitting of the chrysalis and the slow unfolding of the wings"

• a transitional state.

  "she emerged from the chrysalis of self-conscious adolescence"

When I see the word “chrysalis*,” I usually think “butterfly.” But today, when I looked at this iris, tinged with the promise of what it will soon become, I was thinking in more symbolic terms. And somehow the third definition of the word is perfect: “She emerged from the chrysalis of self-conscious adolescence.” But can a flower really be self-conscious? Why not? And is it sexist to think of a flower as feminine? Let’s not go there today. OK?

*Sigmund, please forgive the wild free-association that occurs when I am left alone with my thoughts, but I also think “Jethro Tull” (the rock group, not the inverter) when I see the word Chrysalis - it was their record label and I was and still am a big fan of JT.

Canon R5 1/200sec f/2.8 ISO400