TO A BEETLE PADDLING IN ARLENE’S POOL

So you dived into
the pool thinking
you were brave; and
now you’re barely
paddling with your
brown spindles coughing
up creeks of water
in the transvaal
december light; Yes –
you – Arthropod voyager,
travelling through the
waters of our built-in
glory that today it seems
can only be cementpatiodented
lustlush-redeemed by you.