I didn’t do it
I just latched on
to a lonely buck
down on his luck
spiraling out of control
I sucked his blood
to fire my bulk
slight as I am
I managed to cram
volumes of gore in my shell
a messy like me
spits spirochete springs
that rub on your skin
and wriggle within
inject you with sneaky weird sick
I don’t make the nectar
I’m just the vector
Lyme squiggles and sticks
I – am just the tick
— March 15, 2017