The Stranger

came into the house

and poked their nose

into everything,

leaving no part of my life

unexplored

or free from criticism.

“You have too many books,

just think what you could do

with all the space”,

he said, the sneer in his voice

speaking volumes.

I looked around the library,

to him probably still a room

you should be eating

fancy food and entertaining people in,

and then replied,

You say too many books,

I find your acceptance and need of space

more frightening.

Ian D. Hall 2016