la cucaracha
sydney: strewn with cockroaches
about as abundant as ants
they crawl all over the floors of the house in sydney
and the first few days i did my best to de-map all of them
crushing shoe heels, water bottle weapons and guts wiped up with paper towel
only their numbers did not dwindle
for two nights i shrieked loud like a little girl
surprised at sight of flying roaches, airbound danger
i howled loud, sure thing the neighbors heard thru the walls
whereupon i gave up my slaughter and layed down my weapons
now i let them pass on the hardwood floors, the occasional stomp if
they come too close but
this is their home more than it is mine; they were here before
and will remain after i leave
let em live
