"Am I Worthy?" by Bethany Jarmul

Am I Worthy?

My lungs labor with the heavy, humid air. Here, in the wetlands, the carnivorous plant waits for me. Its cherry-red mouth gaping open, stained from the blood of those it’s already digested. Its teeth-like leaves controlled by trigger hairs, so discerning that it knows falling raindrops won’t deliver the protein-rich meat it craves.

Drawn by its watermelon-colored lips, I climb into its mouth, tickling its triggers with my toes. The trap snaps shut in one-tenth of a second, the time it takes to blink. I’m trapped—too large to slip between its stiff protrusions. The plant will create an airtight chamber, a stomach in which to digest its lunch only if what it has captured is a live specimen, worthy of consumption. So I wait.

bethany jarmul

Bethany Jarmul is a writer, editor, and artist. Her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines and has been nominated for Best of the Net. She earned first place in WOW! Women On Writing's Q2 2022 Creative Nonfiction essay contest. Bethany enjoys chai lattes, nature walks, and memoirs. She lives near Pittsburgh with her family. Connect with her at bethanyjarmul.com or on Twitter: @BethanyJarmul.

Headshot: Bethany Jarmul

Photo Credit: Staff