I’m beautiful.
Your police
use body armor
that is but a faint copy
of my birthright.
I have been
tempered in everything
designed to annihilate me.
We probably could triumph
over AIDS.
Don’t hate me
because I’ve dined
at the finest tables inEurope,
stolen morsels
from Dust Bowl sharecroppers
and have prospered
where your kind has perished.
We inherit the wisdom
to turn your refuse into manna,
a feat you’ve yet to accomplish.
And we thrive on waste.
We are efficiency personified.
And the only tool
in your arsenal
to defeat us
is an atavistic and angry
shoe crushing down upon us.
Don’t hate me
because I violate
the sanctity of your pantry.
Hate me because I defy
your greatest technology
with impunity.
[Posted for #OpenLinkNight at www.dversepoets.com - where poets can find compassion and other poets!]
Your police
use body armor
that is but a faint copy
of my birthright.
I have been
tempered in everything
designed to annihilate me.
We probably could triumph
over AIDS.
Don’t hate me
because I’ve dined
at the finest tables in
stolen morsels
from Dust Bowl sharecroppers
and have prospered
where your kind has perished.
We inherit the wisdom
to turn your refuse into manna,
a feat you’ve yet to accomplish.
And we thrive on waste.
We are efficiency personified.
And the only tool
in your arsenal
to defeat us
is an atavistic and angry
shoe crushing down upon us.
Don’t hate me
because I violate
the sanctity of your pantry.
Hate me because I defy
your greatest technology
with impunity.
[Posted for #OpenLinkNight at www.dversepoets.com - where poets can find compassion and other poets!]
Love this. I've been thinking about cockroaches this week, too. Funny how something so small can remind us of how small we are, too!
ReplyDeleteWell stated. Thanks.
DeleteMosk, this is definitely a worthy tribute to a hardy creature who despite its size is a formidable opponent to humankind!
ReplyDeleteI like her audacity to say don't hate me because I'm beautiful.
Deleteheck...now you talk for them...excellent...excellent metaphor as well mosk
ReplyDeleteFirst, them came for the cockroaches, but I wasn't a cockroach... thanks.
DeleteWell... I can honestly say that you've turned me. I knew cockroaches were ever-adaptive, but you point out characteristics that force me to lean toward admiration.
ReplyDeleteIf I can just change one heart, then my life will have been worth it.
DeleteYour Rhythm was outstanding in this, I could her hear the beat as the words flowed
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteLOL, I was thinking about them the other day. The simple fact that the are suppose to be able to survive a nuclear disaster and we still think we can wipe them out with bug spray. This was a good read.
ReplyDeleteNah, they just get high off of bug sprays. Thanks
Deletehaha way to rock the roach man....oy they have surely defied us and after the world ends i expect them and politicians to be left,,,just saying...smiles....
ReplyDeleteOnly the career politicians. Thanks!
DeleteI am happy not see them here in Canada ~ This is a good one ~
ReplyDeleteSend me your address, and I can arrange to have some delivered.
DeleteToo many roaches, not enough bug spray to go around! And the problem is, they're too darn adaptable anyways!! Interesting poem, well captured.
ReplyDeleteThanks - the roaches will outlast us all.
DeleteThey increase on hotter days. I don't mind them out in the wild, I don't like the nasty ones in the house. :/
ReplyDeleteFun poem. :)
Anything wild in my house I have a problem with as well. Thanks.
Deletewow!!! this is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura!
DeleteThey say that the cockroach can survive, has survived, every earthly catastrophe and thrived. They will forever be with us. And, since you have rendered this slick bit of verse to the Internet, so shall it. Very cool piece, Buddah!
ReplyDeleteOh, what an entertaining take. Their adaptability is amazing. Love that you used "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."
ReplyDeletei do hate cockroaches. more than most anything. but this made me think twice about it. a successful defense indeed :)
ReplyDeleteStop that laughing!
ReplyDeleteLoved this... Especially: "I have been tempered in everything designed to annihilate me." And loved that I conveniently read it moments after my landlady came down to ask me 'have you been finding these giant bugs everywhere?' (Fortunately, at the moment ours are only stinkbugs!)
ReplyDeleteWeirdly, I think this poem might have been better without a title... but then, maybe that's just my over-attraction to ambiguity. Well done, anyway.