Tom Savage

 

Roach Bomb

                         after Allen Ginsberg's "Death On All Fronts"

I set off a roach bomb in my room
Because the cockroaches had begun
Jumping on my bed and even
Touching my skin.
Since my books and manuscripts
Are in the same room, they
Had to be protected from the bugs
At least as much as my body.
The revered Burmese Buddhist
Teacher U Pandita said it's worse
To kill a roach than a human being.
I disagree. The roaches seem
To have learned their lesson
How to vanish, at least for now.
I have another roach bomb ready
If I need it later.
I don't feel like a warrior,
Peaceful or otherwise.
As always in New York City,
I simply did what had to be done.


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