Roach

The cockroach is said to produce eggs in its head
so if you squash one under a well aimed sneaker,
that rictus grin reserved for the dispatch of insects

fixed,

then you must cleanse the area, where it’s hard
carapace has split, and its innards have oozed,
like melted sweets onto your fashionably exposed

floorboards

Because the innermost goo of the cockroach
dries to become roach dust, and it’s
fucking dreadful stuff known to cause all manner of

contagion.