The Nihilist Guest Poem by RIC BASTASA

when you come
we welcome you

faceless and
voiceless yet
you fill the
room with
sounds of
restlessness
with faces of
all our fears
and despite
the years we
still have
no name for
each ripple
each disturbance

and so
what can we do?
we must take you
as guest
welcome you as
part of us

you sit on the
most important
chair and dine
with us
and we hesitate
what to say

we serve you
smoke and
drink and you
leave them
as is
unconsumed

you roam around
each part of the
room
we guide you
with our
helplessness

i spread petals
upon your path
there is no word
still from you

i keep my word
i stick to my
comforting logic

no one lasts
forever
nothing lasts
forever

i am calm and
i stare at you
clueless as to
what is your
purpose

why do you come
and make us
uneasy with what
we are?
and what we
are about to
become?

you have become
part of our lives
and the more we
think the more
we know that
people suffer and
without saying
a word just keep
on moving on
with their lives

misery is universal
it is a purgative
and we who must
accept what is this
all about
less the necessary
denial
have learned to live

each day a struggle
without the bugle.