The Season of Lyme: A Borellia Sonnet

Early spring in prairie; Doran 2011

The tick, off deer, waiting in the grasses.

And children running down the hill too fast,

Tripping, tumbling down; the pain surpasses.

Picnic on the prairie; hunger is passed.

From where they sit, they know no pain, the bite

On back of knee, the soft skin folds hidden;

The ring of rash, Lyme has come, not in sight.

Children’s blood, to the tick, not forbidden.

The ache has started, the chills, affliction.

Parent wonders and views the swollen knee.

The PA tests titers, gives prescription;

Cefuroxime taken for weeks of three.

When child in woods next, wears long pants and sleeves.

Mom checks  limbs after play, prevents, believes.