Be My Guest

I entertain worry
like a long-anticipated guest,
as if she is a distant relative
crossing oceans to visit me

I fluff up the pillows,
and bring out the good dishes,
setting aside well-worn routines,
as if comfort might reveal something

offensive to her senses,
as if she is the queen, and I am
honoured to be put out by her
not a word of complaint uttered.

I entertain worry,
making room for her family,
a cot for anxiety, a lounge for distress,
might even forego my own bed for insomnia

would hate to think that
I’ve been discourteous, failed to demonstrate
appreciation for those, often uninvited, who
temporarily take up residence in my home.

 

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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

13 thoughts on “Be My Guest”

  2. Love this personification. Recently my hard drive died and I lost all the quotes I use in my email signature line. So I added a new one yesterday that you might like. “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength.” – Corrie ten Boom

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that quote. My cousin used to say: “Worrying is a lot like sitting in a rocking chair – a lot of movement but you don’t get anywhere.” Thanks for reading and commenting – you make my day.

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  3. Queen Worry seems to make the rounds, visiting LOTS of us! Terrific poem, VJ! Especially like “forego my own bed for insomnia” – this might explain the nights I’m up doing cross-words at 2:00am …

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  4. wonderful poem and you described some of what i feel as we plan for Easter guests.

    and love your words and images… for prepping for those “who
    temporarily take up residence in my home”

    fav part:

    setting aside well-worn routines,
    as if comfort might reveal something

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Loved the poem. Chuckling by the end. Thinking about worry as a guest may lead to creative ways to get that ‘guest’ to leave!

    Liked by 1 person

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