prick prickle pik pik pikpikpikpikpikpik

the nettle called

we went

one leaf for each limb

it wasn’t so bad

then

perhaps before dawn is not the time

sleep did not escape

they fled

at the warrior cry of the nettle

prick prickle pik pik pikpikpikpikpik

the body is awake

oh no

the body is awake

too soon

too much

pain

we were not ready for

the first night the nettle kept watch

the second night our body kept watch

the third night both collapsed

the fourth night we found them

one thing at a time

thank you nettle

for your lessons

for your reminders

for your magic

—sixteen may twothousandzerohundredtwentyfive