Ticked Off

Up in the sunny green field
Are two deer walking through the
deep unmowed grass.
Actually, now I see
three, a little one too.

White tails swish.

I wish I could look at those
deer and not be afraid
of the ticks they carry.
But there is this fact:
Like most of my neighbors,
I've got Lyme Disease.
Wicked fatigue, achy joints
six weeks of turquoise pills
will make you hate the sight
of those tawny deer,
even that innocent spotted fawn.

Beneath my hatred, though,
is plain old fear.
I am scared of grabbing weeds
without gloves or
lying in the grass or
exercising beside the pond.
Even
walking across the damn lawn
barefoot
can
make
you
sick.

It's hard when your yard
suddenly becomes so dangerous.
The deer love the green apples that fall
from our trees and I really used to love
them visiting the yard.
Now they feel like enemies
invading my territory.