Hotel, Midnight

Leaf 25 – Reflections

 

Sedigheh Zoghi - Daily Life, No.158 (2019)

Hotels are curious places. Oddly anonymous way-stations where strangers constantly come and go. A weary traveller arriving alone. The anonymity of individual existence, transitory. People sleeping in close proximity, yet rarely ever interacting. Perhaps an imperceptible nod of the head when emerging from the lift on the way to, or from the breakfast room. Corridors lined with closed doors, like a uniform matrix of wax-sealed hexagons in a honeycomb. Though the place seems empty, it quietly hums. Inside the same, each room’s mirrored contents: a bed, a desk, a chair, a cupboard, a bathroom, a box of tissues, a telephone, a TV, an ersatz painting on the wall. In the morning, a tray by the door with the remnants of last night’s room service. Awaiting the intervention of house-keeping, wiping the slate clean for the next anticipated anonymous arrival. While the one departing wheels a suitcase through the lobby. Leaving in a taxi, never to be seen again?

 

 

 

HOTEL, MIDNIGHT

 

A pair of shoes,

left by the door

– awaiting another shine.

 

 

 Many thanks to Sedigheh Zoghi for very kindly giving me permission to illustrate this poem with her very beautiful artwork. Please take a look at her website.