My Dearest Friend, Pain;

You know me all too well,

been together through the toughest times.

You've shown up unexpectedly,

repeatedly, we're partners in crime. .

What should I do with your teachings?

What would I be without those mental beatings?

You've woke me up at night,

just out of malice, just to pick a fight.

I've yelled at you to go away,

but you've stayed at my side the whole time.

One thing I should say,

you've always been upfront, always trying.

There one minute, gone the next,

what am I to do, wait around thinking; "what's next?"

You're friends with so many people,

how did you become so popular?

You come up in conversations often,

we talk about you like you're a bloody blockbuster.

But I have to admit we've been through a lot,

what's your next move, what's the plot?

Can you not give me sign?

Give me a sense of things to come?

You're constantly reminding me,

of things left unsaid, left undone.

Is this what our relationship is to you?

A constant thorn of what we've been through?

The change...

I'm sorry to say I must let you go,

this isn't a game, this isn't a show.

I'm powerfully consistent, persistent,

insistent of my convictions.

You're probably one of the worst

roommates I’ve ever had to live with.

Be gone I say, don't you come back,

you cannot ask me to cut you some slack.

Your control over me has lost its appeal,

you lie, you cheat, there's nothing left for you to steal.

No more mister nice guy,

you'll get nothing out of me.

Try to save face, try it and see,

I've beat you before, I'm finally free.

I sense you've weakened since you started this game,

you should be afraid, you're attempts are lame.

Give up already, you've lost the battle,

everything you say now sounds like psychobabble.

Whenever you're around I feel like laughing,

here's a toast to you, I'll have whatever you're having.

Actually, let's toast to my freedom, just beware,

come around me again, and fists will flare.

So goodbye pain, feel free to keep clear,

If you don't tables will turn, it's me you'll fear.

Martin R. Lemieux