Family Reunion with Browntail Moth Caterpillars

by Katherine Hagopian Berry

Like me, you are difficult to love.
Beware, if you come into life
armed for battle, life will battle you:
parasitic flies, pesticides, gush water
from the camp hose
so many furious cans of Off.
Exiled, incubating small colonies
of the saved, I watch you dying
on the log bench, tangling
in breath, caught toxin,
I cannot fling it from me
there is still too much poison
lingering airborne
when I finally leave the room.