Peter Jastermsky
Morongo Valley, California, USA

Deep Cleaning

That damn rumble of rolling machinery! The start of a day that has stared down from the calendar all month long. Sucking it up, I strip the slipcovers from the furniture, carry them to the washer—and a lone spider peeps out from the bundle in my arms, its eyes in heavy rotation. I lower my load towards the floor and help the spider to the carpet. Run, spider, run, I say, wishing I could sound casual, like Issa.

oh, spider!
if only Mister Vacuum
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