https://www.instagram.com/miss.mantis/
A miniature sculptor
of moderate size,
of entomic dresses
and floral thigh-highs,
of possums and blossoms,
communing raccoons,
and curated shades of
purples and maroons.
And off in the corner
under picture frames
her husband is working
'til time for boardgames.
A cool summer evening on top of the hill,
we sit in their condo and quietly chill.
Tip-tapping of fingers, the scratch of my pen,
a peacefulness lingers among us, and then
she offers me chocolate with hazelnut bits
and gathers her laptop and blanket and sits
on the other sofa with her cup of tea,
and says, 😫 "Too much liquid! Now I have to pee!"
And each exposed surface is covered in bugs.
There are bugs in the windows
and bugs on the rugs
and bugs on the shelves
and bugs on the wall
and bugs in the stairwell
and bugs in the hall
and bugs in glass cases
and bugs on the floor
and, let's not forget,
there are bugs on the door
and bugs on the spoons
and bugs on the mugs
and bugs wearing costumes
and bugs giving hugs.
And twining vines line every wall of the room,
with bats, skulls, and ravens like a gothy tomb,
and fabulous fabrics fresh from her dad's loom,
and crêpe paper flowers in permanent bloom
where packed cozy comfort leaves no space for gloom.