Devil's Coach Horse Copyright © 2009 Cameron Hawke Smith

Staphylinus olens

You might think he was almost a gentleman
in his sleek black dress suit, or at least
an undertaker’s assistant.

But he’s really rather rude – he’ll
throw up the tails of his coat
and stick out his bum, which turns into a face
with two white blind eyes. Big.

They say he’s the gardener’s friend,
but I’d rather die than employ him
at my funeral.

(But he’ll probably get me in the end).