RESIDENCY

RESIDENCY

A feeling that seems to linger forever

As if a reminder, dwelling deep within

Always there as a permanent presence

In darkness, without any luminescence

If it had a face it would be an evil grin

Like twisted cable, impossible to sever

I am haunted by this, a lurking spectre

And by it, I shall evermore be blighted

Although this was not always the case

It’s an event and a time I cannot place

Ever since it took residence, uninvited

It entered me, carried by some vector

I fear that it is a dominating influence

As it affects my ongoing state of mind

My own thinking, likely now impaired

Soon, all my identity will be ensnared

With no prospect of relief of any kind

And I detect it growing in intelligence

An unwelcome option may be surgery

Yet I guess it knows just where to hide

So, perhaps something to tempt it out

To suggest its future’s here, is in doubt

And then as soon as it emerges outside

Trap it quickly and inflict serious injury

I had never heard of such things before

Except in tales of juju obeah or voodoo

Was it that cursed holiday I did last year

And had no protection it would appear

Yet even now I can’t believe that’s true

But trips to darkest jungles, nevermore