An Uninvited Guest

I do not recall issuing an invitation 

Yet, here you are among the passengers 

Riding along in the journey of my life 

I eagerly invited love to ride 

To be a close companion on this trip 

For love smooths the 

I do not recall issuing an invitation 

Yet, here you are among the passengers 

Riding along in the journey of my life 

I eagerly invited love to ride 

To be a close companion on this trip 

For love smooths the road and warms the air 

Happiness also received a summons 

To lighten my spirit and balance life's sorrows 

Always a welcome addition to the party 

Peace was solicited to join the voyage 

Always traveling with calm and serenity 

Making easy an arduous excursion 

Joy, harmony, and friendships were requested 

Expected to tag along as well 

Creating a space away from sorrow and grief 

Then there was you 

An Uninvited Guest 

Seeking to be a close companion 

I did not invite you 

I did not summon you 

I did not solicit you 

I did not request you 

Pain 

Not the villain 

Not a monster 

Not even a force of nature 

But still, there you are 

Never content to ride quietly 

Always with an opinion 

Always ready to be heard 

Rarely willing to stay in the back 

Irritating 

Exhausting 

Uninvitingly intimate 

I did not ask for you 

But I have learned to navigate 

With you in the backseat 

But you are observant 

You notice every pothole 

Every crack in the pavement 

Every mile marker passed in silence 

You remember 

What I try to forget 

You replay conversations 

Rewind moments 

You pointed out 

Where the road was bent 

Before I was ready 

You have no map 

But know every detour 

You have no destination 

Yet you recognize arrival 

Before I do 

I do not trust you 

Still I listen 

Not because you are wise 

But because you are persistent 

You have taught me nothing gently 

But you have taught me thoroughly 

So stay 

(Because you will anyway) 

But stay seated 

Do not touch the wheel 

Do not choose the music 

Do not speak unless spoken to 

You are not my guide 

You are not my purpose 

You are merely 

The uninvited guest 

You refuse to be ignored 

And somehow against my will 

Although you arrived uninvited 

You have made me 

Watch the road more closely 

© Ron Simpson Jr. 

January 10, 2026