Come and Get It Boys!

Usually I was bypassed

ignored

while others were chosen

but this year I was bitten

and the mosquito hotline

was abuzz

 

my ankles, scalp

the sole of my foot

my calf, my shin

the back of my hand

between my legs

piercing, humming, itching

 

I tried to wait it out

before capitulating

and rushing to the local shop

for sprays and creams

a cooling mousse

incense and

a silicon bracelet that I wore on my wrist

until I found one, shiny and black, gorging itself

underneath it

 

daylight itching

night-time scratching

the blessed relief

temporary

 

I gave up

ditched the nonsense sprays

and voodoo bracelets

sat out on the balcony

resigned

come and get it boys!

it was the first night that I wasn't bitten