The Adaptive Foraging Hypothesis


we formed a huddle
around the hot wheels track
and watched the insects
that we had stolen from the veranda
after hearing Aunt Charlotte
exclaim that there were
praying mantises outside


the male held onto the female’s back
with his skinny legs
and carefully inseminated her
rocking forward and backward


the female turned her oblong head around
and began to chew into his face
and slowly ate his entire head
as he gave his last few thrusts


we, very bored by now
placed a little red corvette
at the top of the ramp
and cheered as it
sped down the raceway


to thud dully into his carcass
as the impregnated female
flew out the window