Ode to my mosquito net

Ode to my mosquito net

metres of white, soft billows fold

bright against incoming dark

how many secrets do you hold

in your protective embrace

mosquitoes cannot penetrate

your life given up for me

you never rest or hesitate

to foil invasive attempts

what can I offer back to you

worthy of your sacrifice

night after night you remain true

hour by hour on guard you wait

no words of gratitude spoken

by the one you humbly serve

isn’t your cotton heart broken

by such total disregard

so now I’ll lift my voice in praise

to you, of you, for you friend

songs of thanksgiving I’ll raise

never will it be enough

for all you’ve done, will ever do

for me the vain receiver

allowed to sleep the long night through

while you, your dreams never come

don't scratch the itch

and on what day did God create mosquitoes?

here is a re-post from the 2010 archives 

because I'm too busy trying not to scratch 

to concentrate on writing at the moment:

My thoughts are scattered, I submit them to the Lord

I praise Him for this day as the sun burns its way through the clouds

just as I have praised Him through the rains that yet threaten to continue

But He is God, in all things, of all things, through all things.

All things.. yes, that must include the mosquitoes

inescapable in this the wettest season we've seen in years

seeming as large as the hummingbirds that hover

fighting for spots around the feeders we provide

I must coat myself in repellents or choose the safety of the indoors

where I watch as they seem to taunt me from the window screens

but.. He is God.. of all things, yes,

even when, particularly when, I cannot comprehend His reasoning.

Okay Lord, I'm not complaining, really,

it's not me You hear, it's the whine of the dreaded insect

as I slap it dead against my bare skin, awaiting the welt that will rise,

repeating to myself, "this is a test, this is only a test...."

At last, I have thought of one benefit of the noxious pests..

they make me forget about the wood ticks.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. 

[For all things originate with Him and come from Him; 

all things live through Him, 

and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] 

To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). 

Romans 11:36 Amplified

 

Night raid

Last summer I posted HERE about dragonflies, singing their prasies, not merely for the beauty, but their function.  They eat mosquitos, and anyone who knows me also knows that I hold no love at all for mosquitos. 

Yes, I know, I know, we are told to love our enemies, but please.

This year, dragonflies have prospered and multiplied and fill the skies around us, like helicopters buzzing here, there, then hovering for a moment before flitting away again.  I am constantly reminded of Radar from M.A.S.H., hearing choppers before anyone else and crying out the warning "Incoming!!"

We arrived home late last night.  The sky had darkened and bugs were circling around the door, drawn to deck light.  While we were bringing groceries in from the car, we were too busy to notice that the open door and the light in the hall was just too attractive for the bugs to resist.  Small unidentifiable insects invaded followed by at least four dragonflies looking for an easy meal.

I never perceived dragonflies to be quite as large as when they were banging around my hallway and kitchen.  While Rick was busy chasing one out the door, another would fly in, all wings and buzz and chaos.  I did the only thing I could think of.  I grabbed our badminton racquet sized electronic bug zapper and began slicing it through the air, passing it over the light bulb, hearing the satisfying snaps and cracks of insects meeting their demise.  I'll admit to a brief moment of regret as I managed to swat a dragonfly with the full force of electrical power.

"I know you do good things for us" I thought "but I just can't host you inside my home."

We turned out the inside lights, leaving the deck light blazing, then opened the door again, and most of the flying critters departed, chasing the light.

It all leaves me wondering.  Do I reflect the light of God?  Do I shine brightly enough to draw others in?