June Bugs


Whenever I come back to this place –

   the place of my childhood – 

the memories rush back

   but have no place to go,

like the June bugs attracted

   to the light on the corner of the garage

that my parents left on for me

   when I would come home late.

I walked through a minefield

   of bugs on their backs,

not knowing they were trying to get in

   now unable to move.

But, that house has been sold, and

   that door is locked to me now, too.

And I have no idea what to do

   with these memories

except wiggle on my back these few days

   until I flip back over

to set off in search of another light

   where, perhaps, these memories can rest.


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