House Guest

It’s really small,
A fragment of RNA in a hard outer shell,
But it needs me.
It wants to borrow a cell,
So it can reproduce.
I’ve got millions of cells, so why not?

Turns out, it’s not the sort of guest you want.
No idea of how to behave.
Trashes the cell you lent it,
Then moves on to another,
And another and another …
Doesn’t know when to stop.

Doesn’t help that it’s being bullied.
Hundreds of thugs in white coats
Rushing round your veins,
Carrying on like a two-bob watch
Because they don’t like intruders,
Intent on knocking it off.

Best I can do is help it on its way,
So it can find a more appreciative host,
Where it might have a better time.
My responsibility to another living thing.
And it’s happy to assist,
The sneezing and coughing its own initiative.

Some people say I’m wrong to do this.
I shouldn’t encourage it.
I should cover my nose and mouth
Stay at home and meditate,
Stop it spreading.
It’s my fault if it lodges with someone else.

They say my guest is dangerous.
It might kill someone, maybe me.
But isn’t that the problem with all relationships,
However many cells the participants have?
So why pick on the little one?
At least it’s a trier.