For One Night Only. Poem by Michael Walker

It is over forty years since I lived here,
at first in the miners' hostel over there:
I had a single room with a single bed,
just across the tracks from the college.
Tonight I am staying in the Huntly hotel,
which has had a makeover into a motel
since my night of singing karaoke songs.
The bearded owner helps me carry my bags
in the driving rain, to Room 1, first floor.
I have a swipe card to open all the doors:
I have to ring the owner later about noise.
'I'll go and sort it out for you, ' he says.
The heater is on; the double bed is just right.
In the morning I tick 'send updates', 'liked'.




-28 May,2016.