The Glowworms of Waitomo Caves
Kia ora, Ellen,
Behold! The glorious glowworms of New Zealand’s Waitomo Caves! Only they’re not so glorious. They’re slimy, skinny things that aren’t even worms! They’re larvae who eat their parents and spit out long threads of acid-laced mucus that paralyze insects they then eat for dinner. I didn’t think anything could get me sicker than chemo, but when our guide dropped this little factoid, I nearly urped. Speaking of chemo, I thought I was all recovered from it – no nausea or fatigue for a long time, my strength almost all back. But crawling around these caves nearly killed me. Halfway through, I snuck away from the group. I slipped through a narrow opening and discovered a forest primeval, complete with azure pond and voluptuous flora. A breeze whispered across the pond. I swear I heard it say, “You are whole.” And I knew, after months of doubt and anxiety, the cancer was gone. I was pure again. My body was my friend again. I felt this in all the atoms swirling inside me. I don’t know how long I stayed there enjoying this sensation, but eventually I realized I had to get back to the group. I groped my way through the dark, twisting passages, avoiding getting impaled on the stalactites and stalagmites. When I emerged, the guide scowled and barked at me. I apologized, saying I’d gotten all tangled up in the glowworm threads. But not to worry – I was okay. The acidy mucus hadn’t burned me.
Ka kite,
Giselle
Linda K. Heisen began writing fiction when she was nine years old, much to the consternation of her teacher, Sister Daniel. She continued her literary journey through academia and beyond, with stops in the worlds of advertising and community mental health. Ms. Heisen resides in Southern California with her husband and their dappled dachshund, who is a minor local celebrity.