Termites

(When famished microbes upon the flesh feast,
the mortal body is reduced to least.)

they march in tiptoe
mute army of queen unseen
they cast no shadow
silent soldiers unforeseen.

they work, noiseless fools
while all the clocks are ticking
they toil, with no tools
with razor-teeth wood picking.

i track their quiet trail
inside a wall immobile
i see a void pale
devoid of wood (empty), still.

my body deadens
like wood slowly eaten, gnawed
my mind bitten, ends
yes, ceased; by disease hollowed.


- between
fleas and disease
is the body.

- between
shallow and hollow
is the mind.

(c) Chito L. Aguilar