The Malagasy Say

they are tiny but there are many
they are as industrious as ants
relentless as gnats
numerous as lies in the
open mouth
masters who cultivate catastrophe
ask someone whose people have been
in charge of things for a thousand years
then ask someone whose ancestors were forced
to serve people in charge of things
none are exempt
me? distracted eye –
take 8 hours to clear the table
and ponder vanishing options
then I remember my father
said ‘take the high road’
even as he put his stethoscope
to the abyss
in my daughter’s house
she combs her daughter’s hair
we are here and not in the house
of some peevish pharaoh
my liver aches
from nursing my misery
I am grateful my head and heart
don’t oblige the pain
a single cricket
the same one says
“stay awake!”

Hermine Pinson