Madness and mayhem lurk at my left

To my right, chaos crouches… promises a riot

Escalating anxiety paralyses… leaving me stressed

“Just a bit of peace and quiet

That’s all I ask for my birthday!”

_“Can’t we take you out for a nice meal?”_

The mere prospect fills me with dismay

My life’s frenetic pace has become surreal.

*

My heartfelt wish is reluctantly granted

Totally alone on a ‘desert island’ for the week.

Initially — carefree and calm — I’m thoroughly enchanted!

But… soon, boredom sneaks in, things start to look bleak.

Seagulls screech, my face dots with many a sandfly bite

The sun’s burnt my skin; sand’s stuck to my feet

With nothing to do, not a soul in sight

My typical life’s starting to look sweet.