A Whereness

One wall of this hotel room
appears freshly painted,
makes me curious
what happened here
before I arrived.

Did an angry fist
finally broke through
or a child first meet her muse,
leave an unappreciated mural—
a fitting start to the artistic life?

Imaginations never sleep well
in hotels, no wonder the mini-bar
is so sufficiently stocked.
If I open the door,
jog down the hall for ice,
everyone will rush in—

businessmen, newlyweds,
crying babies, cleaning ladies,
spring breakers, heartachers,
the dying, those being reborn.
Wall-to-wall people

and the luggage they’ll bring!
So many worries, doubts,
disbeliefs, dreams stuffed
into suitcases, jammed in
the pockets of their jeans.

Thank god this hotel promises
expansive rooms and
extra wide beds.
I’m going to need the space
if I hope to find a corner
to lay my heavy head.

Copyright © 2019 by AJ Saur, from Odds n’ Ends (Murmuration Press)