I drop the creature on the floor

In a warehouse
backroom wooden structure
filled with attic memories
walking amongst the sheet covered items
with Michael C.
a local music writer
discussing an estate sale
talking about Jennifer
I am making an initial assessment
as we walk through
he is riffing on objects
here and there
as they spark associations
a subtle interrogation
as I add my own thoughts to his
these are not his possessions
but a collection acquired
from many legendary musicians
Brooks B. appears
he and Michael are talking
reminiscing about the old days
Willie and Pootie
as they talk
I find an elaborate box
Japanese design on the lid
opening the box
I discover
plum branches
layered over one another
their leaves still green
looking closer
I note the leaves are sealed up
each branch holds a green chrysalis
as I hold it in my palm
I can feel something within awaken
and can see the thin membrane
of the chrysalis being pushed out
from the inside
I try to interrupt Michael and Brooks
to show them
but they are in a heated discussion
brown and black hairs pierce
through the membrane
transforming into
a large caterpillar
now Brooks and Michael
are paying attention
Brooks mentions his album
and I respond in a manner
to let him know I have listened to it
but it is clear
Michael has not
I cover for Michael
Brooks reaches into the box
and retrieves another branch
the chrysalis bursting forth
with another massive caterpillar
sense of something venemous
malevolent in the chaos of the hairs
splitting through the green membrane
Brooks laughs
not comprehending any menace
and says
it's a box full of spare mustaches
for him
(Brooks has large bushy mustaches)
we all laugh
I drop the creature on the floor
just before
it could sting me