i heard a fly buzz

 My father told me that he hates tangerines, so I 

Stepped out from the light of the fridge. I heard

They have lots of antioxidants, I responded. A

Good addition to the diet. In the bowl laid two, with a fly

Cavorting at the sweet smell of the pierced skin. Buzz,

It responded to our conversation, taking my side—

Singing along to the sound of the radiator. When

He noticed the fly, my dad grabbed a newspaper, I

Knew he thought the house would be cleaner if it died.

Twice did he try to hit it, but the fly circumvented the

Attacks. It took rest on an apple, and the stillness

That filled the room took over. He asked if I knew where in

The world the fly went. Hearing its hush, I knew the

Fly wanted me to take its side like it did mine. The room

No longer buzzed, and the fly stayed still— and was

Silently pleading with me. My father held the paper like

A demolitionist with a sledgehammer. I felt the stillness

Again, and my father’s expectations of betrayal in

My budding relationship with this fly. I took the

Newspaper from him and whipped it coldly through the air

To kill the fly. I heard the fly buzz when it died.