" In the Winter Window "
Trapped in the space between screen
and glass, summer's detritus: torn,
a web whipped by a gust, a hornet curled
into its fetus-shaped husk, the sun-faded
lacquer of ladybug carapaces crammed
into the cracks seeking haven; a shadow-
box of death. And a lone ladybug huddled
close to the sill, her fragile shell split
in half as I slammed down the window,
shutting out last November's chill.
Flakes, trapped in the metal mesh melt,
disintegrating slow as my cigarette.
I shrug off the lips pressed to my nape,
flick an ash and shiver at how carelessly I kill.
© 2004 Laurel K. Dodge
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