O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

In Praise of Chiggers

Posted on November 12, 2018 by robert okaji

In Praise of Chiggers

And the others
feasting unseen
upon you,
offering their
blessings
of digestive juices
and anticoagulants,
allergic reactions and
reddened mounds
made pleasurable
by your fingernails
scraping the skin
around them, over
and raw, again,
again, it feels
so good!

“In Praise of Chiggers” first appeared here in August, 2017. We’re past the season now…

20 thoughts on “In Praise of Chiggers”

rivrvlogr on November 10, 2018 at 9:46 am said:

I’m almost ready to stop spraying my shoes and legs when I go for a hike. Almost.

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- robert okaji on November 10, 2018 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  I received a few bites the last time I was out in the country, but nothing like what happens in the heart of the season.
  
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Artist Caregiver on November 10, 2018 at 11:00 am said:

Oh no! I had a chigger feasting between my toes when I was a teenager. Your post was thought provoking! That is for sure!

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- robert okaji on November 10, 2018 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Oh, those insidious chiggers!
  
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Jazz Jaeschke on November 10, 2018 at 11:34 am said:

Interesting poem … best not read aloud in summer grasses … lest construed as invite …
Is there a mosquito gratitude poem in the wings?

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- robert okaji on November 10, 2018 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  I am a walking insect buffet! One never knows what’ll pop out!
  
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jessicahalseywrites on November 10, 2018 at 1:35 pm said:

Thank you for this! No one appreciates vermin.

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- robert okaji on November 10, 2018 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  The poor vermin! 🙂
  
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  - jessicahalseywrites on November 15, 2018 at 9:24 pm said:
    
    Write more poems about vermin.
    
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    - robert okaji on November 15, 2018 at 10:09 pm said:
      
      I’m sure I will!
      
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the_tovarysh_connection on November 11, 2018 at 8:41 am said:

They are the reason I don’t walk barefoot around my farm in the summer. I know I should bless them, but there are days when that is challenging. 😉

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- robert okaji on November 11, 2018 at 8:48 am said:
  
  I avoid barefoot promenades because of snakes and scorpions and fire ants, but these little guys are the worst!
  
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Skyscapes for the Soul on November 11, 2018 at 9:25 am said:

ROFL!

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- robert okaji on November 11, 2018 at 10:01 am said:
  
  Thanks, Jeni! One never knows what will spark a poem…
  
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chattinatti on November 11, 2018 at 10:21 am said:

While I read this poem severely overcome by the heebie jeebies, I can appreciate your verse. 🙂

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- robert okaji on November 11, 2018 at 2:31 pm said:
  
  Chiggers do indeed inspire a certain vibe!
  
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Dave Kingsbury on November 11, 2018 at 5:08 pm said:

Ouch, and they say poetry consoles …

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- robert okaji on November 11, 2018 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  Only so much can be done when faced with chiggers!
  
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  - Dave Kingsbury on November 12, 2018 at 3:32 am said:
    
    They give me the jiggers!
    
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suewriting on November 12, 2018 at 4:39 am said:

Omg Robert, took me many passes before I could open to read the photo was so awful. Still you’ve got to love those blighters. I guess…

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