While They’re Here
I let the mosquitos have their way with me.
Late in the soupy heat of a summer afternoon, I’ve covered myself
in poison and still, they persist. Pulling blood
from my thighs, knees, back of my neck, and arms.
I’ve heard when a teenager cuts themselves they just want
to feel something, anything. I’m oversimplifying things.
But when the news says once again that the world may not
recover, I’m not sure what else to do. Just to know
we’re both still here, I let them eat me alive.
Originally published in COMP: An Interdisciplinary Journal Audio: Melanie Tafejian reads “While They’re Here”
Melanie Tafejian's work has appeared on Indiana Public Radio and in journals such as Four Way Review, The Georgia Review, The Iowa Review, Poetry Magazine, Poetry Northwest, and Southern Indiana Review. Her first book manuscript was a finalist for the National Poetry Series and the Alice James First Book Prize. She lives in Washington State, where she teaches writing at community colleges.
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I love it, Melanie!