burrowing raze it starts not with animals, but insects. after letting your beard grow wild for the better part of a year, you find a japanese beetle ensconced in the hair that hides half of your right cheek. for a moment you wonder how a blueberry from sunday's breakfast managed to squat here undetected for so long. but berries don't walk around on six legs. it seems as surprised to be found as you are to feel it clinging to your face. you watch it fall onto your bed and stop moving, frozen by fear or fury or something it lacks the language to name. you carry it outside on a crumpled kleenex tissue. try to set it free. it latches onto your index finger and won't let go. so much strength in such a small, fragile thing. is it really a pest if you're sad to see it leave? 230810 what's it to you? who go blather from