i don't squash bugs; i let them live inside me.
a month ago, caterpillars started squirming around my stomach.
wriggling legs climbing there way upwards.
two weeks ago, i felt their heavy weight hanging down from my lungs.
i move slowly as to not toss them around,
and speak softly as to not disrupt their sleep.
bugs being born inside me; maybe i'm defective.
shouldn't they have been invited in first?
in the end, it doesn't matter,
i will nurture and care for them.
one week from now, i will cough up the brand new butterflies fluttering in my gut.
take them to the garden and dance
in the flowers of spring.
because i don't squash bugs,
and i don't let go of love.
