In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

43 She no longer fears bugs She no longer fears bugs. She gets that they’re part of life. She waits for a fly to grab in mid air, shake in her hand, tape to her “to do” list. She no longer fears bugs. She likes to walk into dark rooms feel the crunch of roaches under her boots, watch their shadows disappear into the floorboards. She frequents gardens longing for an encounter with a swarm of bees, loves to watch them suck a rose to sleep, drown wildflowers in their narcotic music: sweet terror buzzing into the sunset. She no longer fears bugs. Lies naked on her bed waiting for one to crawl up her arm to flick onto the cracked ceiling, its fragile body unraveling above her. She no longer fears bugs. She can squash an ant with the tip of her tongue, bite a flea off her dog’s nose. She’s getting ready for the giant spider she knows is waiting for her on the outside. ...

Share