bug repellant

The sun has been softened
goosebumps arise upon flesh
the gnats are starting to multiply
Mating with eardrums and invisible attractive creatures
fingers in ears mute the reverberation
echo of self
now I can hear myself think
smell the tendrils on the breeze
smoke
lilac
the remnants of the tides pull
the rain of tomorrow
the petals of a dried flower
I can see the harsh rays of the morning sun reflect upon how they disappeared
head rested on thigh
fingers intertwined in bristles of hair
fingers intertwined with grass
with melodies
with possibility
I taste the salt of potato chips
of the sky’s sweaty self
of iron

a taste these mayflies shall never know
no digestive tract
mating in air and
dying in the water
food for fish
food for frogs
food for thought

Lauren Napier finds solace in melody and the written word. She has penned a children’s book, All My Animals, stories for NPR Berlin, amongst other texts and songs. Lauren is often traveling with her feline, notebooks, and acoustic guitar, exploring her surroundings and sharing stories. www.punkrockdoll.com (Instagram/Twitter threads: @punkrockdoll)