It's Still Life

A Different Bitter Sweet Symphony

The sun rolls into some corner of the earth, and the sky turns orangish-red, but everywhere else in the world knows this trick, so nothing new there. And you close your eyes to the glare of streetlights and cars, focus on the pink neon sign that spells Motel, as if there’d be any doubt. It’s called the Flamingo, another neon tube strikes a rosey pose on the roof above the office. A sign behind the desk reads “No hourly rates. No refunds. No suicides.” You slip a key into the lock, open the door, and step inside … you’re wondering who slept in that bed last. Probably a man wearing a stained t-shirt, probably tattooed. A woman’s with him, wearing a yellow dress. He calls her Pretty Baby, even though she’s neither. She’s drinking stewed coffee that’s gone cold in the pot. You blink the scene into the periphery, and walk into the bathroom. Turn the hot water tap halfway, same with the cold, and fill the bathtub with more water than you usually would do. It feels like a Free Day. You’re not paying the water bill, so why not. What luxury, not having to clean the tub afterwards. A long soak, maybe give yourself an extra five minutes. Or ten.

Written for Miz Quickly’s Free Day prompt (inspired by the suggestion to “spend an extra five minutes standing in the shower thinking about nothing in particular”. Music by The Verve “Bitter Sweet Symphony” on YouTube. Shared with @Experimentsinfc #APoemADay on Twitter   ©Misky 2021