I Had No Idea

As we pulled up to the land for the first time,
A friend had just called to welcome us.
While I exclaimed happily on the phone,
Jadon got out. Within minutes, he was crying on the roof.
Stinging sweat bees made his life miserable.
I had no idea. The West has no sweat bees.

In less than an hour, friends with chainsaws and
Moral support arrived. “I’ve not seen a hillside so
Covered in poison ivy,” said one.
I had no idea. The West has no poison ivy.
We had all tramped through it.
I would keep my baby in a carrier all day
Every day for several years. No place to set him down.

We went to dinner with our friends. “Is this a crab spider?”
I asked. “No, that’s a tick.”
I had no idea. The West has no ticks.
I killed the one, but when my three-year-old
Complained that night he felt crawly,
And I found dozens of miniscule ticks under his undies,
I just had him go to bed in the nude.
We had no changes of clothes in the tent, and a trek to get them
Was one task too many.

Did I mention that it rained that night,
And Jadon, sleeping under an open tent window,
Woke in a puddle?

Welcome to Virginia!