Conversation with Nettle.
Nettle - what can I say to you? Bringer of poison, itch giver, lump maker. What do you think of the Dock who remedies your weapon? Nettle, why do you bite so hard? What are you protecting of yourself that makes you a pain? I know you are tasty - nettle tea, soup, salad. But sure there’s enough of you to go around. If you couldn’t sting would you leave? Would the deer, the dog and the human eat you to pieces? I see the caterpillars love you, sometimes. But your leaves survive it all, no they thrive it all. What can I say to you to soften your need to hurt? I see you? Does that help? I know you toughen muscle against tiring. I know you ease the ache of inflame. Is that what you’re for? Are your poison darts designed to medicate those who merely brush against you? Is that why you strive to inject us with your toxins? But… toxins? Maybe I should say ‘strong medicine’. Is that why you sting? Not to protect but to purge the pains from bypassers. A short sharp shock of pain to fix a long ache.