Stinging nettles

When weeding stinging nettles,
It’s best to approach it with the acceptance
That no matter what you do, you’re going to get stung.
No matter the thickness of the glove,
The swiftness of your wrist
Or the air in your lungs,
Your skin will come alive in a cacophony of colourful language,
Biting barbs,
And bulbous blisters.
Long after you have pulled them out by root,
Soil clinging to their lifelines as though sheer will will keep them living,
The pain, on fingers, arms and thighs will shoot
Up...