Zzzzzzzzzzz--
the electric whine
of a tiny blood-sucking mother
ends abruptly,
halted by a hand
that stares down
at her crumpled body
with unexpected remorse.
Careful fingers
pluck her tiny form from the sheets,
examining her brittle frame
and wondering what pond or puddle
brought her life.
She’s silent now,
segmented limbs still twitching
with the release of calcium stores
or perhaps it’s dying thoughts
(if insects are capable of thoughts)
as her life flashes before her compound eyes.
