When you arrive.

I call her my caustic friend as every word she utters is acidic. From this I deduced her thoughts are bitter and that which she hoped to get away from was within her.

With excitement she declared that

she'd booked a holiday

to Lake Garda...in Italy!

''Why''? he inquired of her.

''For a break of course 

to get away from it all''!

Authoritatively he informed her,

''you can't get away from it all''!

With impatient annoyance she demanded, ''why''?

''Because you'll be there!

When you've finished unpacking

and sit down you'll realise this fact''.

''Whatever you find to do

wherever you visit

all the sights you see

will be spoilt

because you'll be there

spoiling it for yourself''.

It was three months before

they next met and she cried

''I hate you''!

Confused he ask, why?

''My holiday was ruined by you

everything you said was true''!

He'd discovered that you can run

you can run far and wide,

but you can't hide 

nor escape from yourself.

Whatever you do

wherever you are

if you weren't contented

when you left

you won't be contented

when you arrive.