Blattaria Invasion

In a flood of light

the first wave of a throbbing

pulsing battalion–

wings, partly-hardened on their backs

stream across the kitchen floor–

drain under the refrigerator.

A second wave moves swiftly

like a landslide

descend from bathroom walls

mirror, tile, sink–

seek refuge in unseen cracks and

crevices.

They wait–for power to go off.

For darkness to be restored.

The night feels the weight of

their hunger–keratin,

in shapes of toenails, fingernails

–the delicate flesh that

grow them….

Long antennae oscillate to

sounds of sleep–

excited saliva commands

the blitzkrieg.