top of page
Writer's picturetheperiwinklepelic

wasps - john gerard fagan


 

he left the house again without having breakfast

forehead pulsating rusty tacks with lack of sleep

a quick sip of luminous Monster missed his mouth and spilled on his shirt

a song in the cold air

paused in the garden to watch these mad wasps eating away at his shed door

four of them

should have been long gone that time of year

all frantic and chewing away at the skin of the wood like it was a kebab at 3AM

hoped one would sting him so he’d have an excuse not to go to work

fuck it

he put his face by the shed door and closed his eyes

nothing

nothing

felt one land on his face

then another

the pain finally hit his cheekbone

then his ear

he scurried back inside to inspect his trophies

face was red and swollen

throbbing

peeled off his suit jacket and smiled

even with the agony this would be the best Monday morning in 12 years

he’d nap until at least noon

catch up on some reading

watch some tv without falling asleep

he called his manager

hardly containing his excitement

hi boss it’s me I was attacked by a bastard swarm of wasps so I sadly can’t make it in today

Barry get your arse in here pronto we’ve no time for this

one of them fancy filters won’t fool me

I’m not lying this time

I’ve been stung I promise I promise I prom

look stung or not you look fine

in fact I’ve never seen you with this kind of energy in years

we’re too far behind

come in or you’re fired

Barry staggered back out the door to get the bus

rain drizzled from a hoard of grey

hollow footsteps echoing in the emptiness

the wasps were gone.


John Gerard Fagan is the author of Fish Town and Silent Riders of the Sea.



Dr. Rachel Turney is an educator and teacher trainer. Her poems and prose are published in The Font Journal, Nap Lit, Ranger, Through Lines Magazine, Bare Back, Lobster Salad and Champagne, and Teach Write Journal. Her photography appears in By the Beach. Blog: turneytalks.wordpress.com Instagram: @turneytalks

23 views

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page