bug town | Teen Ink

bug town

February 8, 2022
By amares813 SILVER, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
amares813 SILVER, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5 articles 1 photo 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.”<br /> <br /> ― Eugene V. Debs, Debs


pink zinnias smash easy between fingertips, 

until that milky paste exudes 

perfect for the concoction. 

I drop the mutilated petals 

in the bird bath 

amidst the tainted feathers

and their gray clouds. 

my blue nails scoop,

leaving matted feathers 

behind

grandma’s hair dye in the bathroom sink 

black clotted cream. 


Natalie plops closed baby pinecones 

one by one 

in the dish 

molly stirs 

with her oak branch. 


we submerge 

rolly pollies 

dead bees

squashed ants 

head first 


believing in the healing holy perfume 

the mix of sweat, petals, and grime 


recess time 

every day 

11:20 am 

bug town awaits 


till the spiritual realm 

plumaged 

shifts from bugs and spells

to muddy ruins


when the bell rings recess 

and the flower garden is gone 


replaced by boys size 5 footprints 

which mar the sacred ground 


whispers turn into a hiss 

“the boys did it”

spilled the bird bath’s concoction

stomped on supple soil 


my fist rises 

soul screams


yet, my supporters dissipate 

petals floating in the bird bath 


sophie meets my anger with annoyance 


“Mommy always says boys are simply silly.” 


The author's comments:

This piece explores the age when young girls stop minding male aggressors and accept their societal position. It also explores the role of mothers who perpetuate a "boys will be boys mentality." This poem resembles an experience of mine in elementary school, when the boys would mock our flower garden and love of bugs before eventually destroying "bug town." 


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This article has 2 comments.


on Mar. 21 2022 at 5:31 pm
amares813 SILVER, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5 articles 1 photo 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.”<br /> <br /> ― Eugene V. Debs, Debs

@Afra- thank you!

Afra ELITE said...
on Feb. 15 2022 at 1:29 am
Afra ELITE, Kandy, Other
103 articles 7 photos 1824 comments

Favorite Quote:
"A writer must never be short of ideas."<br /> -Gabriel Agreste- (Fictional character- Miraculous)

I like this poem...And I agree with the thing which it is about...Nice work highlighting the matter...👌🏻👏🏻👍🏻