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Ladybug
- Southern Illinois University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Ladybug IwasreadingNerudalateintothenight, hopingtosiphonoffsomethingformyself, whenshelandedonmyopennotebook. Notarealladybugbutanorange-spotted imposterwhopickedherwayinadrunken waddlealongthemetalspiral,stopping tosampleatraceofsomethinginvisible tome.Sheclamberedinsidethewirebinding toscuttlealongtheditchofwide-ruledpaper, emergingattheenddissatisfied,itseemed. Thesmallpretenderthenleftthepagetofly inloopyindirectiontomyopenNewYorker. SheseemedtohaveatasteforGalway,lusty insomniacmarvelingatthewomanbesidehim, herhankofhairandtheheataslenderbody ovensuparounditself.Understandable,thedraw towardwarmthinashiveryspring.Eachyear massesoffakeladybugsawakentofind asecretwayintotheoldcottage,onlytothen dieinprodigiousnumbers.Isweepmounds oftheirdeadshellsfromfloorandsill andsometimestakethelivingoutside, thoughItireofeventhatshorttrek.Time isshort,andthejourneyfullofcul-de-sacs anddeadends.Aboveme,luredbythelightshe couldnotresist—listen—theclick-clickofinsistent wings,littleIcarusbumpingagainstthebulb. ...