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sharvanpethe

17. A Peculiar Ballet

The sun had set

And all was quiet at the hut

But there was a nagging sensation

That had started in my gut


A knowing wink to the boys

As I get prepared:

My bog roll and jumper

No need to be scared


I begin the slow trudge

In my Nike flip flops

To the best part of any hike

The aromatic long drops


Like most latrines

This one had its quirks

A good schlep from the hut

Getting there was hard work


I felt honoured to sit

Where so many had sat before

Making our deposits

Through the hole in the floor


But wait, what's that noise?

An ominous drone

Followed by a shadow

Flitting past my throne


Just a hint of black

And a flash of yellow

That meant this late night shit

Would be far from mellow


A wasp, A wasp!

My heart begins to race

What are the chances?

This time, this place!?


Quite quickly began

A peculiar ballet

Limbs scything through the air

Urging the damn thing away


I would have been calmer

This, I certainly know

If only I didn't have

My bits on show


The wasp takes a moment

Letting out a hearty buzz

What must have been 'wasp' for

"Come through, Cuz!"


A second buzz answers

This one, low and slow

Not coming from ground level

But from...down below??


You've got to be kidding

I'm ready to quit

There's another damn wasp

INSIDE the poo pit


I pick up the pace

Ripping through the toilet roll

Trying to avoid the projectile

Coming back UP the hole


As the panic sets in

The roll begins to run out

What do I do now?!

I wasn't taught this at Scouts!


Multiple scenarios

Run through my head

Do I yell? Do I shout?

Suffer in silence instead?


I decide on the spot

That to save my dignity

I would need to rely on

Some Purex origami


Making triangles outta squares

A fold, a tear and then some

Bear Grylls would be proud

Improvise, adapt, overcome


Single minded and swift

I follow the process to the T

With one last swipe

I'm done, I'm free!


I fling myself outside

And take a relieved look back

To see a wasp ascend

Where, seconds ago, sat my crack


After a long day of stinging

The wasp family could finally reunite

A wholesome embrace

Was I the real villain tonight?


No harm, no foul

And all ended well

I trudge back having survived

The long drop from hell


Enroute, I pass

One of the boys moving at pace

"Which one's cleanest?"he asks

A slow smile spreads across my face:


"If I were you,

I'd pick the one on the right,

and don't worry about that buzz,

Pretty sure its just the lights"





























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