The Bug: An Epitaph
by Theodora Goss
I feel as though I should write a poem
to the bug I flushed down the toilet
who had so many legs
so many
and whom if I were being more romantic
or literary I would call an insect.
But to me he was a bug
that I scooped up in bunched
toilet paper and flushed,
although he probably didn’t deserve
such disrespectful treatment
simply for walking across
the rug in my bedroom.
I couldn’t help it — the legs.
Just as now I can’t help
feeling guilty.
But I also feel strongly
that everyone, even a bug,
deserves an epitaph.
(The illustration is a vintage poster of North American insects. The particular bug mentioned in the poem is not on the poster. It had many more legs.)
Theodora Goss: Poems 
Theodora: I like this poem very much. I always feel awful for having to kill bugs. I always say a prayer for them and ask that they get to the Other Side quickly. It’s good that you wrote him an epitaph. Keep up your wonderful writing. Blessings,
Karen Peltier
>
Karen, I’m the same way! I always feel bad . . . When I can, I just take them outside, and I always sort of apologize for what I’m doing! I figure, an insect has as much right to live as I do. 🙂
With you on this – I try really hard to not kill insects and work on seeing the beauty in all of Creation.
I always feel very guilty for disposing of bugs . . . and they really are beautiful, in their own ways. 🙂