ABOUT LAST NIGHT

about last night, still dulled, leaving a blur
of the anonymously random, reason unforgiven
that of the two strangers-who met last night-
legs and arms in a tangle, twisted, together
expectations sated-and within the dimmed light
of the early morning- the light peeks through-
from the dark curtains slightly pulled back-to  
reveal what remains of the disregard; all the disorder
that collides within having been sustained- from
the pulled back sheets bunched into a knotted pile; or
the random lip stick stain left on the deflated pillow case
as one reaches for ; onto the sticky vinyl table top, left are
two glasses, still half full, or the random change spilled
haphazard onto the rug, silently;  left there to die a
couple pennies, two nickels and a dime- while the two
nameless strangers gather up, their belongings, they
crisscross the room-absolved of a momentary lapse of guilt
to begin their exit from the room- letting the door slam
shut behind, as the elavator bell rings; it swings from side
to side, the paper customary sign, a reminder to the maid
that the room will need a thorough cleaning, once more

by Michael Perry