Sunday, March 15, 2009

The King and I

In motel breezeway buzzing light
in the cooling air of descending night
I was stopped just short of the ice machine
by the glistening black of the apparent king
of every earthly cockroach.

He faced me square,
the hint of a dare
in the tilt of his tiny head –
his body raised.
Antennea waved
as if curious I had not fled.

Thus we stood for two beats or three
Till I realized what was required of me.
I bowed my head briefly,
begging his pardon
and asking his leave to pass through.
With a curt nod, he turned
to march away…

I laughed
and lifted my shoe.

4 comments:

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

Wonderful poem, but, um, EEEWWWWWW!

CathM said...

This one made me smile :) Lovely piece of poetry!

Anonymous said...

Made me chuckle ll the way through. Very good, you.

Nadege said...

lol...adorable