I Killed a Bee

I killed a redback spider
Turned over a garden chair
its fat red stripe
connected with my fear
felt the tingle of bloodlust
on my tongue.

I killed a redback
now watch for reincarnations
under every seat.

***

I killed a cockroach.
Fear of dirt my alibi
saw it scuttle across mind’s eye
from rubbish bin to lip of my glass.

I killed a cockroach.
Disposing of its dark glossy carcass,
I felt almost purified.

***

I killed a bee.
Carried it from the washing line
caught in the collar of my blouse.

I shook it free but fear of its sting
made me reach for the spray.
I watched it struggle with the coat of white
and could not undo my thoughtless act.

A beautiful creature
forced to a final clumsy dance

the taste of honey
is now tainted with shame.



(c)Deb Matthews-Zott