Vermin

Surface tension of skin hold steadfast.
Horsefly, do you have empathy?
Suck at my neck.
Gnaw my sweet nectar.

Carcass drained dun-flies.
My neck peters in tenacity, gouged and bloody.
Engulf my body, mangle candied skin.
Dear sweet mother, you cannot withstand 
much more.

Dear maimed father,
what do you covet?
Wincing at the things 
that keep you awake.

I will wait for you until I am dead.
I will settle my gnawed figure into the bottoms of your hill.
I’ll sit on the patio stoop, swatting at horseflies,
until my legs surrender sensitivity
dreaming of you arriving
caressing
my own cheek
on my own shoulder.