knowing what a dangerous creature wants
every night
after dark
the big bees buzz to life
desperate to throw themselves at fire
they hurl themselves
at any light
until they’re spent, senseless
spinning circles on their backs
and their fat black bodies
litter the floor
a minefield of stingers
it lasts no more than one hour
bee o’clock we call it
and take precautions
tonight we passed the time
snug inside the mosquito net
when all was quiet
I put the boys to bed
reentering our bungalow
headlamp burning low
to keep Alex asleep
a late bloomer came at me
and I reacted well
launched the light from my forehead
halfway across the room
while its legs hugged the plastic tight
now safe inside the netting
I sigh
thankful it’s not my first night here
and I knew what it would want
