the first prick i feel, i react,

my arm reveals the outline of my slap

and in my palm a splat of blood and wing….

contemplating

non-violence

i watch as another of Her tribe comes to sip…

and ponder if there are any microbes of danger in the spit that would do violence to me….

.

sometimes avoidance is the holiest choice –

tomorrow, long sleeves and bug spray….

(all natural of course!)