COVID-19 Motel

Like every man I am my own worst enemy, but unlike most men I know too that I am my own saviour. - Henry Miller

Not one of  Travelocity's top picks.

Not even as good as Motel 6.

Regardless of the free flicks.

Let alone the roaches, fleas and ticks.

Coughing and sneezing throughout.

The germs mutate and sprout.

Infecting both tile and grout.

No sanitizer with which to rub it out.

Alas, fighting a losing bout.

Thought they would get it on, but could not even embrace.

No, not on that mattress.

Certainly not in this bubonic place.

Caught up in a deadly race.

Yet another fatal case.

A poker hand dealt a lonely ace.

They check in but don't check out.

No doubt.

A nonrefundable, vial route.

A dirt nap with a sweet dream.

Your stay is all but guaranteed ...

... at the COVID-19 ...

Author's Note

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. I would rather ride on earth in an ox cart, with a free circulation, than go to heaven in the fancy car of an excursion train and breathe a malaria all the way.: - Thoreau

Reviews

[Leviari]

I must praise your originality. It's such a grim and yet weirdly refreshing poem... there's something "bukowskian" about it. Your words are evocative, picturing the scenario you so effortlessly described comes easy and naturally, and I believe it takes a great writer to do accomplish that. Thank you for sharing.

[Pete]

thank you for complimenting. the idea just spilled out quickly. you spurred me to read about bukowski (interesting character to say the least). i appreciate you sharing thoughts ... :)

[lakinbob]

Bet breakfast in bed would be the last meal you had. Macabre stuff, original and interesting read and I for one would ignore the 'Vacancies,' sign and drive straight on.

[Pete]

who'd have thought the continental breakfast included a free ride with the coroner. thanks for 'checking in' bob ... :)

[Moonie]

I really like dark humor, and I appreciate how you channelled today's grim reality so creatively into this poem. The imagery is very vivid, I loved that you made it rhyme...makes it sound like a dismal ballad of sorts.

[Pete]

just trying to have a little twisted, creative fun whilst stuck in. didn't know that you went for dark humor. thanks for checking in (for a quick stay) ... :)

[barleygirl]

What a way to start this day . . . ZZ Top & a poem with hints of Bates Motel & Hotel California. This is exactly my sweet spot . . . this is where I live! *wink! wink!* This poem is so snappy & contagious, I feel I might explode if I don't do a rhyming riff myself in the next few minutes. Your sarcastic humor is lightyears beyond wimpy sanitizers . . . you blow up this virus malaise (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

lol. what is wrong with me huh? not even a free continental breakfast would make me check in these days. well, take out your six-shooters and blaze away. at least the rhyming waters are fine ... :)

[NotUsinganymore]

Quite a grim but humours poem. I enjoyed this. I probably would never want to be sleeping in a motel.

[Pete]

thank you JungLee. i've never liked staying in a motel, especially now. stay well ... :)

[Derekv]

Brilliant piece, and truly one of a kind - I love the combination of fictional horror (elements from Psycho) with the current "horror" that confronts us today. Keep up the good work!

-Derekv

[Pete]

thank you. stay safe and be healthy ... :)

[Dara]

This is a brilliant! So original and even though a somber topic you are able to bring a playful note to it all.
Really enjoyed this!

[Pete]

thanks for reading and be safe ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

It shocks me, just how damn good you are at writing!

[Pete]

now that i think about it, i could have done jack nicholson writing on his typewriter at the overlook hotel in the shining - "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy". ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

THAT movie scared the HELL out of me!

[Pete]

creepy. scared the bejesus outta me too. shelley duvall and the kid riding the tricycle. jack nicholson is perfect for playing those roles ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

I enjoyed the dark humour here Pete. What a place eh? By the way I can remember my introduction to Bates Motel when I was 16 and being too scared to go to bed that night. Stayed in my sister's room. I think we will all want to steer clear of Covid 19 and the fear it is generating. Great composition and rhyme in this post and very creative with it. Keep safe.

Chris

[Pete]

i too remember watching that movie when i was young. slept with one eye open for a while. fear is a powerful emotion. the movie title and pandemic have 'psycho' in common, thus the write. thanks chris. hopefully this thing will blow over soon. keep safe ... :)

[John the Baptist]

Really good rhyming here. I think, though, that even Covid-19 would have been afraid of Norman Bates/

[Pete]

perhaps norman is the antidote to the madness ... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a perfect take off that combines Psycho and the Corona Virus...both so scary...and neither will let us embrace our loved ones, or get much sleep.
the allusions in the first stanza...so clever.
and at the end...yes, they check in but they don't check out.
I always am impressed with your creativity....
i smile when i read such good poetry...
j.

[Pete]

thank you j. they've closed the college near me, probably your's too. please be safe ... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, they closed ours as well...we are finishing the semester on line...
be safe yourself, Pete.
j.