To kill a fly.

by Poet on the Piano   Jul 5, 2020


I'm not a murderer, I
swear. The buzzing was
simply too much, a
fluorescent light in
agony, too chaotic for
a mind already prone to
insanities.

There were a dozen
flies in my bathroom
yesterday. The window
was closed; I couldn't
understand why they
chose the musty walls,
and so, I killed them,
not pausing to take a
breath, just violently
swinging a weapon
until their wings broke
and they quivered once,
then no more.

I flushed their remains
down the toilet. I had
no remorse and instead,
fixed myself a hearty
breakfast, giddy with the
hope of silence and peace.

But the buzzing hasn't
stopped, and though I've
looked in every crevice,
there are no more flies or
cloying insects, only the
humid halls of a brain on
life support.

4


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Latest Comments

  • 3 years ago

    by Kitty Cat Lady

    Fantastic stuff MA. A totally relatable write perfectly depicting the dissonance we can feel from killing even a fly! I hope the buzzing ends soon! :-) x
    =^.^=

  • 3 years ago

    by Gracy Judith

    This a beautiful! I can relate to the buzzing and how it can drive one nuts if not stopped

    I totally loved the below...beautifully penned!
    "a fluorescent light in agony" reminds me of: when one sees stars when struck/disturbed. What a beautiful way to relay it.

    Also loved the below:
    But the buzzing hasn't stopped, and though I've looked in every crevice,
    there are no more flies or cloying insects, only the humid halls of a brain on
    life support
    [this rings true for me...sharp sounds continue to echo inside the head...I mean any sound...you keep hearing it long after it ends]

    Beautifully written...

    Cheers!

  • 3 years ago

    by Scott Cole

    I mean it's hard to put just one word on this, it's one of the best poems I've read in a while. It's a simple subject something we all do from time to time and how u just put it on a new level with the perfect placed words to tied that simpleness in with the complexity of your thoughts. I love it great write awesome work!!!!!!!

  • 3 years ago

    by Brenda

    Mary Anne, this is beautiful. I relate to this, the buzzing, the frenetic energy its creating. Some times it gets to be too much, the noises need to be quieted. It makes you wonder if you are truly losing your mind doesn't it? Hugs my friend-

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