MY INNOCENT VICTIMS (January 17, 2007)

When a ladybug lands on me right in the middle of winter, I move about with great care for fear of crushing it. But my cumbersome clothing is always in the way. God knows how many of them I have unwittingly crushed between so many layers, so many folds. Climate change is surely on my side, though. As well as that of the ladybugs, my innocent victims. Year by year, I will be shedding my clothing. Layer by layer, fold by fold. By and by, I will be almost naked all year round, and no ladybug will suffer from my clumsy twists and turns any longer. Besides, I will become less and less awkward as years go by. Or so I promise. For fear of crushing a ladybug out of season, I will tread much more gracefully, as well. Barefoot, I will tiptoe. All in all, climate change is surely on our side. And especially that of the ladybugs.