51

Yup, it’s Lyme disease

After three long years

Of not feeling myself

“You have a classic case”

Validation?

I guess I’m not crazy

I guess I’m not “out of shape”

I guess I don’t have a hyperactive thyroid

I guess we shouldn’t “take ‘er out”

I guess

Fatigue and weakness

Weakness and fatigue

Consumed the Energizer bunny

Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

More! More! More! More!

STOP, said the tick

SLOW DOWN, said the tick

Aches at the nexus of my bones

Walking to the kitchen felt like a beating

Wears you down, ya know?

Lyme disease

Who wudda thought?

Posters on the wall, that’s who

On Day Two of the hitch

I pulled it off my back

The bull’s eye warning that never happened

No warning

Just symptoms

Not sure what’s worse now

Symptoms every six weeks

Or the meds I have to take

Hey, at least I know now, right?