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Wings of Hell

[This is based on a true story from some years ago… Some elaboration involved… oh… and nothing got Splatted.] * I sat there busy typing, some poetry and that And suddenly I’m dive bombed by a massive hairy bat If it wasn’t flying round I’d swear it was a rat But maybe I exaggerate… not quite as big as that My hair was blowing in the breeze that blasted from each wing I prayed it wouldn’t bite my neck, I hoped it wouldn’t sting I’m ducking and I’m flinching as the thing attacked my face I wondered if this was the end of the human race But then I got some gumption and I knew what I must do I coshed it with a newspaper and whacked it with a shoe I had a beer to celebrate, ‘Take that,’ I had to mutter Some went down the wrong way and it made me cough and splutter My wife brought in some linctus, one for cold and one for cough And then she asked me if I’d seen that HUMUNGOUS Hawk Moth 18 January 2022 Contest: Insects Sponsor: Angela Tune

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Lindsay Laurie

Date: 1/25/2022 2:57:00 PM

Hello Terry ... I can understand your desire to ward off that creature. I was nearly asleep one night and in the dark, a large moth landed on my face and kept fluttering. Nearly had to replace the sheets - enjoyed your poem Terry - Lindsay

Terry Flood
Date: 1/25/2022 5:55:00 PM

I so nearly called this ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ but two things stopped me…. 1) the bat was a moth, and 2) Plagiarism. And then we lost Meatloaf. Weird! Glad you enjoyed, Lindsay. Terry

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/20/2022 8:30:00 PM

I can relate. I was being dive bombed by a mosquito hawk and my husband said it won’t hurt you. Let’s just go to sleep. As soon as we turned out the lights it flew right to my lips. Couldn’t sleep after that until he was found. I loved your humorous story. Congratulations on your wonderful win Terry. Blessings xxoo

Terry Flood
Date: 1/21/2022 3:16:00 PM

Thanks, Connie. That thing wouldn’t relent. In the end I had to open the patio doors and turn out the light. I must have sat in the dark for an age before it went off in search of the moon or a street lamp or some such thing. Luckily, I lived to tell the tale. WE ARE BOTH SURVIVORS… we should get badges! ;-) Terry

Eve Roper

Date: 1/20/2022 7:38:00 PM

oh, so , funny... We had the bats fly round at night we always had to duck. Congratulations on your win. Blessings

Terry Flood
Date: 1/21/2022 3:19:00 PM

Thanks, Eve. Could have done with a bat that day… mind you, that moth might have eaten the bat! Terry

Heidi Sands

Date: 1/19/2022 3:06:00 PM

LoL. This story had my attention.! It made me think of when I lived on a lake and bats would swoop around in the evening. Also, years ago at Carl's Bad Caverns a bat got stuck in a woman's hair bun! I can picture your story and then hawk moth, lol. You did well with writing this :)

Terry Flood
Date: 1/19/2022 3:50:00 PM

Hi, Heidi, I actually think most bats are pretty cute, but this massive moth was so in my face I thought I was in danger of swallowing it. That thing would have been lunch and dinner all in one. Glad you enjoyed. Terry

Ilene Bauer

Date: 1/19/2022 1:52:00 PM

ha! you tell a good story, terry! love the way you've related this one...

Terry Flood
Date: 1/19/2022 2:55:00 PM

Thanks, Ilene. I’m not afraid of insects or buzzy things, but that Hawk Moth was immense. I was sat at the dining room table and the room light was more or less above my head. That thing definitely saw me as a target…. Only consolation was that I was seemingly brighter that a hundred watt lightbulb. Terry

L Milton Hankins

Date: 1/19/2022 11:52:00 AM

Incredible, Terry. It brought to mind the time I opened my mouth and swallowed a gnat. It wouldn't come up and it wouldn't go down. But it made for a devilish cough.

Terry Flood
Date: 1/19/2022 11:56:00 AM

Thanks, Milt. I had doubted it’s sheer unadulterated brilliance and removed it, but a voice from above told me to repost it… Ta Da!