by Ruth Solomon

I can always tell
when spring arrives
by the perennial swarm
of tiny horny bugs
insanely bug-humping
face-high in soaring
swirling swarms
of ecstasy between
the evergreen bush
and front gate I pass
through to get the mail

they appear like magic
from some warm
wintering place
these bugs
these tiny horny bugs
to screw smiles
and spring to my heart
like tiny six-legged
tools of nature
and I want to laugh
for the joy of it
throw back my head
and laugh out loud
for the wild crazy
joy of sunshine
warmth after winter

but I have to pass
silent through the swarm
to get my mail
for as much as
I would love to drink
in the intoxication
of today, a mouthful
of tiny horny bugs
wouldn't make
a good chaser.

© 1998 Ruth Solomon
Ruth was awarded the Babylon Arts Council (NY, USA) BACCA Written Arts Award (1998) for helping to reawaken interest in both poetry & performance.