I tried humour first
Tried laughing it off
Only to hear my echo
Return with a penetrating force
I tried talking about it
Only to realise I didn’t have enough words to say
I checked online
Others were caught in the same conundrum
Everybody wanted to share
But nobody had the vocabulary
I tried sad songs and movies
I sat with her and flipped
Through tunes and scenes
To get a sense of what others are going through
Mistake number one
She understood that it was the norm
To overstay your welcome
And live rent-free in your host’s overflowing heart
I tried isolation next
Locked her in a dark room
Left her to starve
I was sure she’d stop annoying me
I was wrong
She didn’t cease her misbehaviour
It only made her worse
It made her stronger
Mistake number two
I tried ignoring her
Tried giving her no attention
Only to realise I
Needed her as much
As she needed me
Or perhaps more
Strike three
I’ve given up
I’ve no hope in me
I must embrace it
Let my life revolve around it
Place my bricks around it
And build myself a refuge
If I can




