An Insect On Trial

On a temperature perfect evening, while kids play and run
I am sitting in a gazebo under a slowly setting sun
Unexpectedly, an insect appears in my line of sight
like the stereotypical tear flowing from a man of might

Watching; it saunters around my feet
Is it afraid of my presence? Should it be afraid of me?
Have I become afraid of it? Paranoid are we.

Is this the feeling the great and defeated Goliath felt?
Intrigued by this encounter, I think what an awful hand this bug was dealt.

For I have now become judge and jury; The gazebo is now a courtroom
The insect moves beyond my feet and closer to me
My nerves all rise.

Perhaps I could crush this being
like a foot to a grape, its ending would be red
On the contrary, it's possible the insect just wants to be fed

Perhaps I'll relocate the bug without the shedding of slime
It would be hard to justify such action, consider the scene of the crime,
Perhaps I shall agree with its innocent plea
and leave it alone to let it be...

The latter I chose for who am I to decide
A splatter of a death for an outdoor being, being outside

Upon leaving the courtroom feeling justice was served,
I was unaware the insect was being observed
Compassionate was I, like a god being merciful to a sinner
but it was soon caught in a spider's silky web for dinner...

Written March 19, 2017
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Michaels Avatar
May 6, 2017 at 3:10 AM
A very interesting and thought-provoking write with a clever twist. Congratulations on your high-placed win. Regards, John.
Carmack Avatar
May 6, 2017 at 1:19 AM
Perhaps the insect was suicidal? Could explain why he came right at your feet, and after he was denied a red ending, he went with plan B - the web. Congrats on your placement.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 9:18 PM
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. :) xomo!
Dupins Avatar
March 22, 2017 at 8:11 PM
Thanks! No, I'm not Prentice Powell if that's who you are referring to. That guy has some awesome and moving poetry.
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