An Uninvited Guest Poem by Fred Odom

Despite internet search engines reports to the contrary
And without heed to the "No Vacancy" sign clearly lit
And flashing to advise all travelers,
Shiva checked in to my life
With apparent belief
I would be a cozy Bed and Breakfast to visit.

Shiva's blatant disregard of my posting
Clearly reflected intent to compromise and disrupt
My earnest renovation work in progress.
A work I might add,
That showed every indication of nearing completion
And awaiting final inspection by higher authorities.

I informed the unwanted guest
That complementary provisions were unavailable,
There would be no room service of any kind,
Nor a continental breakfast,
Sheets were unlikely clean,
Towels insufficient and rough to the touch,
Reports by recent guests of vermin,
The elevator out of order as was the TV and radio in the room.
And as a final warning,
The neighborhood declared to be in a gang zone
Without adequate police to ensure
The safety of guests and their belongings
And locks on the doors were missing or inoperable.

"Perfect" my unwanted guest declared,
"My work is half done already."
At my guest's insistence,
A room was provided on the top floor
With bloodstains on the carpet outlining a corpse
Who previously had checked out
Without regard to payment due.

"Most satisfactory." He replied.
"I am not accustomed to such elegance and fit to my work ahead."
A chill went through me as though
The broken air conditioning had somehow repaired itself
And directed its flow to me.

Alas. My guest knew all too well
The external appearance of the establishment
Belied the internal dramas within.

I must speak to my contractor.
The work to be done is falling behind schedule.
And by reputation, my guest has settled in for the duration.
The hard hat he has donned, could mean delays ahead
That could last a lifetime.