It was the time of estrus
On the night of a blood moon
A white moth arrived
Unflinching to touch
Silent
Withholding
A boy went to sleep forever
Unflinching to touch
Silent
Withholding
Ten days later
Poised for flight
Eyes dilated
toward the light
First the boy
Then the moth
And on the 11th day
A barren woman
wailed for her wings
On the night of a blood moon
A white moth arrived
Unflinching to touch
Silent
Withholding
A boy went to sleep forever
Unflinching to touch
Silent
Withholding
Ten days later
Poised for flight
Eyes dilated
toward the light
First the boy
Then the moth
And on the 11th day
A barren woman
wailed for her wings