a gecko in an aquarium
was my roommate...
not at all my idea of a pet,
but we shared a room, she and i...
i would warm her with soft light
at night time,
let her sleep with lights out
during the day...
fed her with worms,
young insects, water to drink...
nobody knew or noticed
what ever happened,
never seen what may have conspired
inside that lonely aquarium
where she'll be forever confined
'til the day she dies.

one sleepless night, while writing
'neath the soft glow of the lamp,
a tiny winged creature
slowly crawls, then stops
beside my left foot
resting down on the floor.
nothing to swat it with,
i shove it off my foot with one hand.
it would appear one time,
i would drive it away...
it would hide somewhere,
only to appear again later.
the movements flow,
this would go on,
until finally, i would fall asleep.

same things would happen
In the nights that would follow,
until i sort of await its presence...
it would keep still,
right at the center of the carpet,
wait for that shove or push,
so we could start our dance,
'til we both get tired...
when it would vanish,
and i, would soon
be left dreaming,
...in deep, deep slumber...

(Thank you, Soul in torment, for your "wing-ed friend...")


Sally

Copyright 2013
Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan