The Buddha Rat

Smart
—Bruce Bennett

like the fox
who grabs a stick
and wades
into the water

deep and deeper
till only his muzzle's
above it
his fleas

leap
up and up
onto his head
out onto the stick

which he lets go

off it floats
as he swims back
and shakes himself dry

Complete Destruction
—William Carlos Williams

It was an icy day.
We buried the cat,
then took her box
and set match to it

in the back yard.
Those fleas that escaped
earth and fire
died by the cold.