We were here first. Since before the dinosaurs, we the humble bedbug lived on the big lizards. Then we moved on to birds and spread to bats. The emergence of humans, you delicious hairless apes, in our caves was a delight. As you spread we came along to drink your blood. Nothing personal.

From the caves to a cold water flat over a deli, we are where you are, where you sleep. Tucked into the seams of of your pillows, in the crevices of your mattress, we wait until you are in your deepest sleep to feed. What’s a few drops of blood between old friends.

You have fought us with arsenic smoke and kerosene soaked bedding. You have fought us with magical spells and slurries of crushed bedbugs. Didn’t work, pals. We’re back with a vengeance.

“Sweetie, wakey wakes time to get up.”

A sprinkle of bright red droplets lay on the pillow. The boy rubbed at his sleepy eyes. Fine scratch marks marked his cheeks and neck. Already a rosy rash of small blisters was spreading along the child’s rounded arms. The mother’s eyes grew large. She scratched her own neck.

“I’m itchy all over Mommy.”

Now we hang out in your hotels and ride along in the creases of your suitcases. We are bugs yes but we work together to feed, to live. From home to home, we are spreading. Why fight?