I held still for what lingered on my palate. 
I made a dozen tiny horseflies in the folds of my ear. 

I tipped each jeweled eye into the wardrobe. 
I tucked what remained into the wall. 

(the mirrored wing a lantern) 
(the agonized buzzing) 

I came across a clearing with a satin tangle of flies I tore from my dress.

(left a small smear of blood) 

The swarm was almost entirely vanished now, only a fever. 

(skittering on the linoleum) 

(a dozen tiny apertures) 
(shifting like a field pouring from a glass) 

I took each crystal antenna into the night.