The Florida Anoles*

The anoles

in the azalea bushes wind

around branches like wavy hair,

hundreds of anoles

hiding Escher-like

in chain link fences,

under palmetto bushes, on concrete block walks,

 under the mist

that hovers over the vacant lot

next door like fabric softener sheets.

They are ribbons

tying me

to this front porch

in the town

of my childhood.

I have returned,

they have tasted me,

& I taste like their own blood.

____

*An anole is a small, harmless gecko-like creature that eats mosquitoes and other insects.

* * * * *

A former Chicagolander, Eileen Murphy now lives 30 miles from Tampa. She received her Masters degree from Columbia College, Chicago. She teaches literature and English at Polk State College in Lakeland and has recently published poetry in Thirteen Myna Birds, Tinderbox (nominated for Pushcart Prize), Yes Poetry, The American Journal of Poetry, Rogue Agent, Deaf Poets Society, and other journals. Her website is mishmurphy.com.