Colin Simms
The Death's Head Moth
The Death’s Head, like to a queen bee’s badge -
these moths go for hives, attack their honey
and even squeak like the proper residents
it’s not only their death’s head emblazon
though that had been enough in itself
but their translucent bright ghostly ribs
when one came into the little house at Boosbeck
my sister and I at the Duerr’s jam it made for
thought a bird, a thought-bird, barged around
the walls and windows, curtains and light bulb
doilies and tablecloth and gingerbeer jar
we were alarmed, excited, and wanted the insect
in our power, in our close sight to excite us
great grannie or whoever she was the moorswoman
of Moorsholm declared it was for death, an omen
for death in the family. Myra died the next day
and the moth dead already under a tin tray
in the scullery, we preserved for our collection
Page(s) 88
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