ALPHA-GAL

Cancelled plans led to a shortcut across the park
Climbing the steps to the house
Ducking behind a tree to jump out in surprise

You froze the tick as we know to do
Tiny slivers of pain spread down my scalp
“Anaphylaxis” I blurted out, unconfidently
As my ears throbbed and my throat swelled

The finest line separates the did not and the did
I watched her little sleepy gait wobble and veer
Too close to the edge and I nearly called out
But I feared my outburst might cause her to trip

And then she did and the nightmare was real
I screamed her name, hoping it could be undone
How often I forget how thin the line is.