A Question With a Sting In Its Tail

A harmless question one might say, Yet for some recipients Once muttered, Will send them on a never-ending quest, For the answer. It spawns countless questions of its own, Never sleeps, never lies still, Reaches every nook and cranny in the brain, Has no off switch, And its sound cannot be muffled, They can never be unheard. It throws doubt on relationships, Where it never existed before. It gnaws its way through to the heart, And causes an itch that must be continuously scratched. For which there is no soothing cream, Or known herbal remedy. If you, touch wood, Should ever form a question out of these three words, "Are you happy" If you are lucky the following three uttered immediately after, May prevent any long-term effects, 'You look happy" So, I am told.