crawl space creatures (poem)

A NEW poem about more than rats!

“signals & undergrowths” PC: Reena Kapoor. All Rights Reserved ©2025. Instagram @1StarDusty

crawl space creatures

Is that mice or rats in my basement?
—no difference to this tale really
for one day, began this horrid squeaking
I called in the man to get rid of it all
He proposed closing off doors, holes, cracks,
to seal off their escape, get rid of them,
in-situ. I didn't want to know how
shrugging, nonchalant above my unrest.
He asked if I’d like to go down there
Nope! Why would I call you, mister?

I don’t need to witness, pry anything open
Please contain, cover, kill,
deal with what’s excavated—
exorcise, exterminate, exile, as you will.
So he kept me out of the cleansing, shielding
my emancipation from pesky invaders.
Hours of silence reigned, and peace
Then… Bloody Hell! A remnant voice,
squeaking, sending up last calls and pricks.
I sat in fury at the audacity of insignificance!

In days, even that stopped
A final peace! Now I’m really saved
from invasions of a prowling past…
Until a stink began, an odor emanating
from decades gone persisting, demanding
I descend, reexamine the remains,
cremate the cadavers, clear the carcasses,
bury the ashes, or submerge in rivers
Only then walk back up in agony of rebirth
to remake my home, my airs, my voyage.

--Reena Kapoor

I hope you liked the poem, dear reader. Did it resonate? I wonder what might it have brought up for you?

Reminded me of this quote…

People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.
—Carl Jung

Extra!!

Speaking of hidden forces that move us…

My play “Crossings” (English) will be show online again by the global literary and cultural organization Yuganugoonj. The play will be followed by a talkback with the cast and playwright (yours truly).

Date: Sunday, Feb 23rd 2025.
Time: 8am Pacific/ 11am Eastern/ 9:30pm India time.

Please join to watch it here ONLINE here on their Facebook page.

If you’re unable to watch live, a recording will be available on their YouTube page after the event. Please contact me if you have any questions.

See the poster for details.