Butterfly Farm
Note: I appreciate that the sight of a butterfly needle might cause some readers to feel a little queasy, so I’ve used my photo of a red admiral in the park instead. Wikipedia has a good image of the butterfly needle here.
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This species’ members aren’t quite greenhouse reared –
they’re factory made and instantly mature,
in stainless steel with just one little pair
of plastic wings. They fit inside a drawer
within a storage unit, in a room
or on a trolley, wheeled where they’re required.
My diary shows I’m due to meet one soon;
today, in fact. I check I’m well attired
for our appointment. Yes, my sleeves can roll,
allowing for the creature to alight
upon an inner elbow, gain a hold
to pierce and feast. It’s an intriguing sight,
the mouthpart linked directly to the tube
that transports all its feed so swiftly out –
a larger tube awaits. The team needs two
to chart my progress. Frightening things can sprout
when medication alters human cells –
my blood-flow slows. The creature, fed, withdraws,
its mouthpart wiped, its destination now
the waste container. Nurse holds down the gauze.
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Published in Snakeskin, October 2025
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I think this poem is fairly self-explanatory. Every month I attend either my surgery or the outpatients department at the local hospital for blood tests. The butterfly needle isn’t used every time, but it has always held more aesthetic appeal for me than the standard device (image and video here).
I’ve had a lot of blood tests over the years, starting when my general practitioner at the time was struggling to come up with some sort of explanation as to why my joints had become inflamed, and progressing to the regularity required once I began treatment with disease-modifiying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and subsequently the anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) brigade. Both categories are associated with some serious side effects, including various cancers, so it’s very important to keep checking things. Unfortunately I have experienced a lot of challenges while on treatment, but the present contender is showing a small amount of promise. Word-Bird and I are cautiously optimistic together.
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Next: To the Tower