mr. hangover

he tiptoes in as a dull ache
alive, breathing, as the eyes slowly wake
whispering, “guess who’s here, o’ ol’ friend
was passing by, with some time to spend.”
you close your eyes, tightly shut
praying you could pray him away, but
the knock grows louder and you know
it’ll be a while before he’ll go
he smiles as he comes in, and you frown
wishing hard you were in another town
“you forgot all about me, but i thought of you
well now i’m here, so howdy ye do?”
he settles in easy, in the armchair of your head
like a weary voyager eager to be fed
you shrug, get up and make some tea
hoping a cup will make him leave
it’s strong, heady, but so is he
talkative, lazy and in no particular hurry
you excuse yourself and wash your face
he says, “it’s fine, take your time, I like this place”
you dress for work, but he doesn’t take the hint
like an unwelcome relative on an unwelcome stint
office is office, but he insists on coming along
graciously saying, “don’t mind me, just carry on”
the hours tick quietly, but your temple gongs loud
someone’s learnt a new trick, and isn’t he proud
he says, “I’ll sing you a song that only you can hear
isn’t that a lark, what do you say o’ dear?”
as the song ends, he belts out the encore
saying, “no that wasn’t the last tune, here’s one more”
you reach out for water, and the Dispirin shelf
he thanks you, says, “Was thirsty myself”
you grab a bite, you go squat in the loo
and when you wash up, he’s still with you
you search for deliverance, and you find him
the man’s as persistent as a foolish whim
defeated, you limp back on one leg
cursing why you had that one peg
and like a repeat offender on his repeat crime
you vow that last night was the last time
till tomorrow comes, bright and cheery
and you say, “Mr. Hangover, so who’s he?”