I’m watching you, a blur of wings
And legs, floating around me —
I’m trying to brush you away,
Or grab and squash you.
Suddenly I see you’re on my hand,
Walking up my middle finger,
Testing with your feet, waving
Your proboscis thoughtfully.
I let you go on to find your spot —
A small sharp pain, and then
You’re sucking, white-banded rear legs
Held over your back.
Your transparent, black-striped body
Pulses, it seems to take forever
Until a dark finger of blood creeps
Along inside you.
You bloat, abdomen red now,
But once detached, you whiffle about,
Take two steps, as if to start
Feeding again.
No! You don’t need any more,
I don’t think you can fly! I puff
You away and you disappear across
Autumn garden-beds.