The Mothman Prophecies
Em Richards

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the flickering glow from my flashlight

transfixed

on a large moth resting on the back door,

its wine red eyes

calmly set on mine,

collecting.


when that suspension bridge collapsed in West Virginia

i was shaken awake

my sister pried my eyelids open

she whispered to me,

a house is much more interesting when you peer in

from the window, even if you have a key.


Point Pleasant is a long ride from Lakeland.

all i’ve got is a broken flashlight

and this moth

the only creature that has decided to unlock the door

and step in.

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