The mosquitoes have

entered the air

above my bed.

Perhaps blood

is their desire,

or maybe their sword

mouths will make mission

of the soft sheath

my skin provides

as I lie half

asleep, aware

only by the approaching

warning their wings

make.

The sudden intra-

venous attack escapes

the self-inflicted

slap as another

victorious warrior

makes

off, satisfied, full

of my life force.