the new room mate

i find a cricket in the house.

i've heard that it's good luck.

but i'm not sure

about that.

i have a conversation with the cricket

asking

him what

in the world he's doing here

this time of the year.

are you lost?

how'd you get in here.

i can hardly hear him, though,

because

he's so small.

i ask him if he wants to go

back outside

into the woods, perhaps.

he shakes his head no.

at least i think it's his head.

he asks me in a high pitched

scratchy

voice

if have a box he can live in

until spring.

it's too cold out now.

maybe throw in some grass

and dirt.

a few branches.

that sort of thing.

i shrug.  i tell him i'm not big

on room mates. i've had some

trouble

with people living or visiting

my house for very long.

he puts his two little feet, or

hands, arms,

whatever they are out

and pleads with me.

okay, okay. i tell him. but keep

it down.

lights out at eleven and

no visitors. i don't want some

butterflies, or lady bugs coming

around

keeping me up all night.

and keep

your cricket noises down.

do you really have to rub

your feet like that all the time"

what is that. ADHD?

i'll leave the hall light on

in

case you need to use the bathroom.

and i prefer

if you're

hungry to not bring food

up.

i had trouble with ants last year.

he tips his antennae and says. okay,

got it. thanks.