PEST

The cockroach stood still, it had sensed danger.
Exposed as the light was switched, it was far away from cover.
Its antennas could have given it away - but it kept them immobile.
Adept in the art of dodging-it always won in seek and hide.

Fed up with its antics and raids, I decided it was time to act and plot.
Unbothered and reckless as ever- it happily bred and ransacked cupboards and
pots.
Like a seasoned killer on assignment, I schemed ingenuously to kill it on
spot.
To search the market for a weapon- was the step to be taken first and
foremost.


The powder mixed with crumbs I ignored, also discarded pencils that claimed
'No Entry'
I bought finally an aerosol insecticide- it guaranteed easy operation and
surety.
The night came and I donned my apron, put on the gloves, the goggles and a
mask
Looking like a true gangster-I took out my weapon and was ready for the
task.


I sprayed revengefully on its hiding places-and saw them come out drugged
and stagger
In a short space my enemy was dead-legs upturned and without any swagger.
There was a sense of deja vu -I missed the elation of mission accomplished.
I dragged my feet to reach the bed-defeated by the dead, which had no chance
to defend.

And  in the morning, paper headlines screamed-Genocide, biological war
-unfair, unjust
It all got muddled in my head-what were they talking about-men or pest?
I had an eerie vision of men lying dead- like the cockroaches in the room.
Curse you, thy filthy creature-you continue to pester me till the doom.

~ Jayanti Sinha ~

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