Vibrations were rising
Panic was on the horizon
Moving closer, quickly
Attempts to connect — I stuttered
I froze
Eyes darting everywhere but her gaze
Until, through my stunned silence
She put her infant in my arms
…
I killed an insect on my desk this afternoon.
I’m not sure what it was, but it was probably harmless.
I could have put it outside.
I could have gently shooed it somewhere else.
But, I didn’t.
I crushed it, with a tissue, so I wouldn’t dirty my fingers.
Now the stink of death lingers in the room,
and I wonder where my heart’s gone.
.
June 4, 2025
Holding the request, someone calls out to them again and again… But of course everyone has much more important things on their mind.