Room Pasadena *

[Revised 4-9-2022]

on a bright sunny morning
no clouds in the sky,
in the hall nearby his room,
i decided to drop by

behind the door (i) heard motion,
i knocked to say hi,
the way cracked a tad open,
a dim voice spoke by-and-by

“you’re welcome to pass,
but step quickly inside,
you’re letting out the darkness
which i hope you can abide”

wanting to turn on the light
i checked out the scene,
i slid slowly in the night
with only shades to be seen

the air was clear in the pall,
so mild did he say,
“please wait until the noon call,
our starting point for the day”

my senses had adjusted
but my mind yearned for the light,
“that’s fine” as i exited,
“we can talk about date night”

how the air seemed to vibrate,
he spoke to the side,
“we can share raunch while we eat,
i’ll let you borrow my ride”

up the hall as in a trance,
i moved from the crypt,
hearing low in the distance
an invitation best kept

“anytime you may ingress,
but step quickly inside,
you’re letting out the darkness
which i hope you can abide”

(* a poem à la Hotel California)

Copyright 2022 John P. Healy