Xestobium rufovillosum

The soft larva hires enzymes

To eat cellulose for her

In the rafters

The adult will tick and tick

It was the Telltale Heart

It was Tom Sawyer’s impending death

It was the death of Keats

 

As usual,

We glorified the wrong thing

Made it mystical,

Urged it to have meaning

As usual, it was just sex

Ubiquitous, overbearing, intransigent

The insect over your head demanding

That you come.