Hillary Keel: Chelsea Hostel Pantoum

Two Japanese girls came in way

past midnight and then got up early

while the third slept on her lower bunk –

all three have the same plastic hangers

past midnight and then got up early

dangling from iron bed frames

all three have the same plastic hangers

of them rummaging through suitcases

dangling from iron bed frames

lights, a door swung open, the clatter

of them rummaging through suitcases

and the squeak of bed springs and

lights, a door swung open, the clatter

as I slept in brown pajamas

of them rummaging through suitcases

screechy high tones of yesterday's fax

as I slept in brown pajamas

breakdown at Times Square Oreo

screeches of yesterday's fax money

so rhinestone and in-your-face

breakdown at Times Square Oreo

trays of pastries and coffee

so rhinestone and in-your-face

calming ginger tea at Grumpy Chelsea

trays of pastries and coffee

Café so utterly 4th Street

ginger tea at Grumpy Chelsea

and then I went off to Cornelia

Café so utterly 4th Street

speakeasy had me first chortling, then cackling

and then I went off to Cornelia

of my eyes, but afterwards I was left

speakeasy had me chortling, then cackling

and a final stroll down 20th

of my eyes, but afterwards I was left

Tango music somewhere over my head

and a final stroll down 20th

view – saw the 2nd floor windows with

Tango music somewhere over my head

outlines of shoulders

view – saw the 2nd floor windows with

heads bobbing, music droning to me

outlines of shoulders

a pink, yellow glow

heads bobbing, music droning to me

while the third slept on her lower bunk

a pink, yellow glow

two Japanese girls came in past midnight

Not Enough Night

© 2012 Naropa University