Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #154
āāIt wasnāt that long ago when Ethan was rarely bothered by mosquitos, but this year heās being eaten alive by themā.ā
I wrote that in my diary just a few weeks ago.
Thank you all for joining us today as we say āfarewellā to my beloved husband, Ethan ā¦. another innocent victim struck down in the prime of life by the dastardly mosquito. Ethan was attacked last week while bringing out the trash for pick-up in the morning; it was just a quick run to the curb but he didnāt have his EpiPen on him. Who knew just a few moments later heād be in cardiac arrest from anaphylactic shock?
Ethan was never bothered by mosquitos before and at first it was just an annoying surprise when he started developing a reaction a few months ago. The change in him was sudden and drastic and, as much as I will miss him, Iām so thankful his time of suffering was short.
Doctors canāt say whether this is a genetic trait, if our children Evan, Ella and Emily will develop this horrible allergy. To help our children realize the seriousness of this situation and to protect them, Ethan has left them his award-winning collection of swatters, his supply of EpiPens, his boxes of citronella candles, his stash of DEET and, of course, his journal.
When the allergic reactions started, Ethan began writing down his thoughts; as a poet, he wrote some of his best work over the recent months. He was most evocative in his agony.
In closing I would like to read one of his most poignant poems. Itās called āOde To The Mosquitoā. And please .ā¦ next time you see a mosquito, ask yourselves āWhat would Ethan do?ā“
Ode To The Mosquito
How can such a little thing
Be so damn annoying?
Flying round my arms and legs
Itās bothersome and cloying.
Go away, you vile thing
Iāll swat you with a stick.
Youāre not welcome in my home
You nasty little prick!
Who would think that tiny guy
Could be such a bloody sucker?
When he sticks his fangs in me
I scream āYou Motherf*#+er!ā
You get me every time Iām out;
My blood is extra sweet.
Come and get me, little twit!
Tonight Iām packing DEET!
The end. š¦
NARĀ©2024
Poem originally posted 2022
This is āThe Mosquitoā by The Doors
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