-- The Guest --

John Herlihy

“There is one guest you hope will never depart,”

Grandpa said.

“Who might that be,”

I asked Opa.

“Listen carefully before I give you the name.”

I always listen to my Opa carefully.

“This is the one guest who comes unexpected and uninvited.

We had guests; but all invited.

“The guest arrives suddenly, you know not from where.”

I will ask him I thought.

“The guest will tell you; but you won’t listen.”

Opa knows what I am thinking.

“He will remain only for a limited time.”

He should stay longer, I thought.

“The guest sees you; you will only feel a presence”

Oh, to see the unseen, I thought, as in dreams.

“The guest is beautiful, like no one in the world.”

I like beauty; it makes me feel happy.

“The guest can be fickle, full of surprise.”

I like surprise, but not too much.

“The guest may offer you advice you don’t like.”

I will try to understand.

“One never knows when the guest will depart.”

He can stay forever, I thought, but asked my Opa:

“Who is this wonderful guest?”

“You will know when he arrives,” Grandpa finally said.

Days passed as I thought long and hard,

And when I thought no more, I knew.

There I was, the guest inside me, beaming with life.

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I (c) John Herlihy 26 July 2020