the conservatory
I’ve been taking notes
casual observations
that tree is dying
and that one is healthy
will soon be taller than
a thousand stories
the queen wasp
outdid herself this year
somehow knowing
the winter will be long
ensuring her progeny
even greater success
I did the best I could
sealing all the cracks
and crevices in this
drafty conservatory
regulated by heat tape
and crafty ingenuity
as for the spiders
they are my friends
stealthily paralzying
their innocent victims
holding them hostage
forever and a day
october two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved