formication

crawling under and in

formication --

yet another symptom
of the clock ticking
she is winding down
her body
disintegrating
hormones abating.
a cruel joke
knowing
it's all in her head
doesn't stop
them from hatching
doesn't stop her
from scratching.
If the bugs
were going to
crawl under her skin,
the least they
could do
is wait
till she was dead

Author's Note

An apparently "common" side effect of the delightful phase of life called perimenopause, lasting anywhere from 2 to 15 years ...

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i didn't know before i read the note...had a bit different take---i was thinking of the bugs as regrets in her life...and her skin was crawling with them, as was her heart...and she wishes they would abate, leave her alone, until she was dead...because then it wouldn't matter anymore.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, it definitely could be taken in that manner. However, this is a literal outpouring of frustration.:)

[1VJ]

I knew what you were talking about before I read your author's note. My friend, mere mid 30's is already experiencing these symptoms, oh the joys of being woman! Hear me roar for sure. :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Dude. It is soooo annoying. Knowing what the itch is is almost worse than thinking there is an actual cause. Your brain fights with your scratch reflex all day!

[1VJ]

They say it mimics your mother's, if so, I'm gonna be a raving b***h on wheels!

[Lyn Anderson]

My mom had NO symptoms -- except for cold flashes, which is the only thing that hasn't happened for me -- and of course, when your hormones are still "in normal range" there is no way to know how long this phase will last -- I am in about year 3 or 4.

[1VJ]

Good to know, maybe I'll get lucky. My condolences on your prevailing predicament.

[Lyn Anderson]

I hope for your sake you sail through. I was in blissful ignorance till my first bout of sudden onset migraines ...

[1VJ]

Don't even say that, I already have migraines. OH NO.

[Ted Kniffen]

Very good, KL. That age old fear of becoming an insect's incubator. How do we deal with the tricks of the mind in our relentless dance with age. Good write.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks, I appreciate it. It's the current subject on my mind -- once all other suspects are eliminated, "it must be perimenopause" is the diagnosis.:)